Not only are the weeks flying by, but now it’s already December and the islands have quickly responded with holiday décor and events. Even the weather has made islanders think it’s winter. I wore a jacket (but with flip flops, of course) to our monthly Association of Realtors breakfast meeting yesterday. Also, turned on the heat for the first time this year when evening temperatures dipped into the 50’s Tues night.

Today, island weather is back to blue skies and sunshine with daytime temps expected to go up into the low 80’s. No more cool weather is expected until midweek when maybe nights dip back into the 50’s. Should be nice for the many events tonight (details on those below).

Sanibel Ordinance Adjusts Maximum Building Heights

On Nov 20, Sanibel City Council unanimously approved an ordinance which adjusts the maximum building heights within ecological zones, giving homeowners a modest increase in height and corresponding relief for measuring angle of light as they build back from Hurricane Ian.

Under the amendment, the height limitation of 35’ above predevelopment grade (PDG) has been removed, and the maximum height is established at 45’ NAVD, a standardized measurement above mean sea level. This gives residents, on average, a modest increase of five feet in building height.

Since the required base flood elevations range from 7 to 18’, actual building heights will differ. For example, the maximum height of 45 feet NAVD minus the required base flood elevation equals actual building height.

This ordinance also changes the primary and secondary angle of light measurements. Primary angle of light will increase to 30’ NAVD from 20’ above PDG, which allows for the measurements to have the same point of reference and the 15’ difference between maximum overall height and maximum height at setbacks is maintained. The secondary angle of light increases to 35’ NAVD, from 25’ above PDG.

City staff said these adjustments, while helping residents build back to code, do not require an amendment to the Sanibel Plan and do not change the limitation of three stories above flood elevation.

Sanibel School Earns Top 10 Florida Schools Ranking

U.S. News and World Report recently released their rankings for the 2024 Best Elementary and Middle Schools in the United States. The Sanibel School, which educates students from pre-kindergarten through eighth grade, earned Top 10 spots for both elementary and middle school rankings in Florida!

The report, which included 45,236 elementary schools and 22,053 middle schools in the nation, calculated student performance in math and reading within each state and school district. The Sanibel School was ranked #10 for Florida Elementary Schools, #5 for Florida Middle Schools, and #1 for both elementary and middle schools in the Lee County School District.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Assoc of Realtors®

Yesterday, at the November monthly membership meeting of the islands Association of Realtors® Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza and Chief Building Official Craig Mole’ provided attendees with updates on post-Ian progress. I was delighted to introduce them. Below are some takeaways from their presentations:

City Manager Souza – said the City is financially in good shape. Though Ian caused a 34% loss in property values (75% in condos), the millage rate jumped to just 2.5 which is the highest Sanibel has ever had. It jumped to that after Hurricane Charley, dropped back down, and now is back to that. The City has received a 15.1M bridge loan which can be used only to run the City. Revenue also was lost on the sewer side ($2M). He commented on the huge relief it was when the state took over the cost of debris management (over $200M) and the City has had no cost for FEMA expenses. Another $28M loan is in the works to be used for upcoming projects.

Regarding the causeway, he said the road is expected to be completed by Dec 21, before the Christmas holiday. (Also, remember the causeway weekend traffic pattern returns to one-lane only beginning today Fri at 7 p.m. until 6 a.m. Mon morning. Be sure and allow extra time going on/off this weekend and next weekend.)

On the upcoming beach renourishment project (scheduled to begin Dec 13 and complete by Apr 15), City Council is expected to approve it at their meeting next week. Millions from both the state and FEMA are helping to fund that project.

Overall, our City Manager is highly optimistic for Sanibel’s future both logistically and financially.

Chief Building Official Mole’ – covered a detailed Power Point presentation. Some of the statistics since Ian included a summary damage assessment which listed 168 destroyed properties; 2,194 with major damage; 2,525 with minor damage; 51 also affected; and 188 unaffected.

Under rebuilding since Nov 7, 2022, he said a total of 7,508 permits have been issued (compared to ~2K in a typical year). Of that total, 180 are for demolition, 758 electrical, 1,762 emergency building repair, 795 mechanical, 1,960 roofing. Also since Nov 7, 2022, over 12K building code reviews have been performed. These numbers are staggering.

He stressed the importance of the FEMA 50% rule and reminded Realtors® that effective Nov 1, 2023 new elevation certificates are required with permit applications due to changes last year in the flood maps and a resulting new form.

He also warned that unpermitted work may become a future problem, recommending that buyers be made fully aware of how a property permit search may be conducted to ensure that permits are closed out and they know what they are purchasing.

He covered how flood insurance costs may increase if there are repetitive claims (2 or more over $1K in a 10-year period) and how FEMA requirements can be strict to reinsure. He also discussed dry floodproofing (which many of us had now heard of). He advised that several commercial properties on Periwinkle are restoring that way.

During the question/answer period that followed, I asked how visitors who want to come back and stay in condos can find out if a property is ready for rentals. He said most complexes are not yet ready and suggested that they call that condo Association. Also mentioned that before a property is rented it should be inspected by a fire marshal to be sure that alarms, smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, etc. are available/working, and that stairs/walkways are safe.

At SanibelSusan Realty

As Dave and I continue to work with both buyers and sellers, Lisa keeps our inventory list updated which I email to many island lovers. We haven’t bulk mailed those out in some time, so if you’d like to get an updated email version, just let me know at Susan@SanibelSusan.com. We also look forward to announcing some new listings soon, but always welcome more.

Next week, Mon and Tues afternoons from 1 to 3 p.m. I will be attending Zoom meetings for Florida Realtors® Real Estate Brokers. There are four speakers each day including some favorites. On Mon, Lawrence Yun, NAR Chief Economist will cover the Federal Economic Update, followed by NAR’s Legal Update, a Federal Issues Update, and then a session by one of the best Florida Realtors® instructors Steve David. Tues covers more state/local specific topics when Dr. Brad O’Connor FR Chief Economist will cover Florida’s Economic Outlook, our General Counsel Juana Watkins will cover FR Legal Update, followed by a Legislative Preview by our Public Policy VP Andy Gonzalez. It wraps up with info on how RPAC is working close to home.

Tues morning also is a quick meeting of our local Professional Development Committee where we are setting up speakers (like those yesterday) and educational sessions for our members next year.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service

Below, with data from the islands MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by scoop about our listings and the island MLS action this week.

On the commercial side, the former small VIP office across the street from Tahitian Gardens at 2000 Periwinkle Way, closed for $600K.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	74	1,075,637	149	114	1,708,068	88	35	986,254	160
Under contract	7	978,271	73	10	1,489,000	50	3	1,543,000	19
Sold 2023 to 12/1	93	946,941	64	253	1,271,836	73	24	913,354	75
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	1,535,891	122	17	6,509,176	120	2	7,247,500	85
Under contract	5	1,185,800	51	1	3,485,000	179	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 12/1	14	784,357	100	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

Holiday Events & Re-openings

Sanibel Café – reopened today for the first time since Ian. Serving breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. until 2 p.m. (closed Tues & Wed).

Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale – continues at The Community House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed through Sat, while supplies last.

Deck The Shore – at Sanibel Historical Museum & Village on today Dec 1 from 4 to 6 p.m. with caroling, refreshments, and tree lighting.

Sanibel Lights – at Sanibel Community House & St Michael’s Church also today Dec 1 from 4 to 7 p.m. Stroll the tunnel of lights between locations and enjoy music, food, and activities.

BIG ARTS Holiday Open House – today Dec 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Bailey’s General Store & Grog Shop – taste tasting at the former service station at Bailey’s Center today Dec 1 from 5 to 7 p.m.

F.I.S.H. Annual 5K/10K Races – tomorrow Dec 1 with some rod closures from 7 to 10:30 a.m. There will be delays along the route (West Gulf/Tarpon Bay Rd/Periwinkle/Casa Ybel)

Sanibel Rec Youth Holiday Event & Reindeer Run – at the Rec Center tomorrow Sat Dec 2 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. with pizza/BBQ, hot chocolate bar, pictures with Santa, and many activities for children plus the youth reindeer run following the FISH 10K/5K races.

Sound+Waves Music Festival – on the beach at Tween Waters Sat Dec 2 beginning at 5 p.m. Fireworks follow the concert. This is a ticketed event by F.I.S.H. https://FISHmusicfestival.rsvpify.com

Captiva Civic Assoc Inaugural Holiday Bazaar – Mon Dec 4 from 2 to 4 p.m. & Tues Dec 5 from 10 to 4 p.m. at the Captiva Civic Center.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Nov 24 – Dec 1

Sanibel

CONDOS

6 new listings: Sanibel Arms #E3 1/1 $439K, Sanibel Arms #A7 1/1 $499.9K, Sunset South #1B 2/2 $629K, Sunset South #3C 2/2 $789K, Sundial #N203 2/2 $995K, Seascape #302 3/3.5 $1.75M.

No price changes.

4 new sales: Seashells #40 2/2 listed at $475K, Spanish Cay #C4 2/2 listed at $489K, Pointe Santo #C2 2/2 listed at $960K, Sundial #K405 2/2 listed at $1.375M.

2 closed sales: Sundial #J108 2/2 $515K, Loggerhead Cay #513 2/2 $1.115M.

HOMES

8 new listings: 1603 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 $774K, 2058 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 $985K, 6141 Henderson Rd 3/3 $989K, 4760 Rue Helene 3/2 $1.459M, 815 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $2.195M, 2525 Lands End Pl 4/3 $2.275M, 5095 Joewood Dr 3/3.5 $2.495M, 1318 Seaspray Ln 5/3.5 $2.795M.

1 back on market: 5892 San-Cap Rd 3/3 $775K.

7 price changes: 4269 Gulf Pines Dr 2/2 now $734K, 998 Greenwood Ct N 3/2.5 now $739K, 1813 Long Point Ln 4/2.5 now $985K, 9393 Peaceful Dr 3/2 now $1.29M, 1517 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 now $1.495M, 1202 Sand Castle Rd 4/2.5 now $1.699M, 1365 Jamaica Dr 3/2.5 now $1.8M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 2564 Wulfert Rd 4/5.5 $3.35M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 717 Birdie View Pt $612K.

No price reductions, new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price reductions.

1 new sale: Marina Villas #805 2/2 listed at $995K.

2 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3227 1/1 $450K, Beach Villas #2613 1/1 $675K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 15557 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 $4.75M.

No price reductions, new or closed sales.

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