Now The Weather is Feeling Like Christmas!

Florida winter weather continued this week with some overcast days and temps down into the 70’s most days, 60’s at night. That is expected to change tomorrow when there is 100% chance of rain as a front arrives that may result in some chillier days next week. Maybe we’ll get to keep wearing sweaters for Christmas!

The below photo was taken this afternoon at Lighthouse Beach where teammate Dave and his kiteboarder buddies were enjoying the wind and didn’t seem to care that the water temperature is in the 60’s. It reminded me of the second photo from 2015 when Santa was spotted kiting off the causeway.

In my island drive-arounds this week, it was great to see roofers at Captains Walk where there also is a new roadside sign. A new sign too is up at Sundial with new landscaping going in along the resort entrance.

Many businesses continue their restorations, while others are planning early 2024 re-openings.

Gramma Dot’s at The Sanibel Marina reopened Wed. Serving lunch beginning at 11:30 a.m., they also are open for dinner from 4 to 8 p.m. (seven days a week).

Causeway Update

This morning, the City of Sanibel posted the following update from the Florida Department of Transportation regarding the completion of the roadwork on the causeway:

“Crews are working toward substantial roadway completion by the end of this month. Once vehicles are shifted to the permanent roadway, the contractor anticipates fewer impacts to the traveling public. Travel in January is expected to have less delay and more predictable travel times when crossing the causeway. We appreciate your patience to date and ask for just a short time longer as the contractor makes a final push to reach this end of year goal. This date could fluctuate based on the approaching weather system.

“Over the next week, the contractor will be working day and night to place final asphalt, install railing, and complete concrete work for the permanent roadway. Motorists should be prepared for delays and heavy traffic as crews prepare to shift traffic to the permanent roadway….”

Sanibel Beach Renourishment Project Beginning

Yesterday, the City posted the following notice: Contractors are mobilizing equipment and preparing for the first truckloads of sand to begin arriving on Monday morning, Dec 18. Gulfside City Park beach parking lot will be closed temporarily beginning Monday for approximately one week.

“Hurricane Ian’s landfall on Sanibel flattened the island’s beach and dune areas. As the storm surge from Ian receded, significant erosion occurred resulting in the creation of channeled gullies along Sanibel’s coastline. This project will place approximately 400,000 tons of sand to restore the beach berm (dune) and fill gullies created by the receding storm surge….”

The below map shows the projected timeframe for each area of the beach project. The City will provide updated info at www.mySanibel.com and through news releases.

Below are the project FAQs posted with the City notice:

• What is the timeline for this project to be completed? Anticipated to be completed in early 2024.
• How much sand will be brought to the beaches of Sanibel? Approximately 400,000 tons of sand will be brought in to renourish the beaches.
• How many trucks each day will be hauling sand and how many loads a day will be brought to the island? Between 120 and 160 trucks will be hauling two to three loads of sand to the island each day.
• What times/days of the week will the work be carried out? Work will be carried out between the hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Monday through Friday, with some work being completed on Saturdays as needed.
• Will there be any impact on traffic? Motorists may notice a larger concentration of trucks early in the day as they arrive on the island with their first loads of sand, but the trucks will be spread out along the routes as the day progresses.
• How many sections of the beach are being worked on, and is the project being completed in phases? There are 5 stretches of beach where sand will be hauled in. 1-2 stretches may be worked on simultaneously throughout the duration of the project. Once the section(s) are complete, the crews will move on to the next.
• Will any beaches be open during the duration of the project, and how will beachgoers be affected? The sections of the beach being worked on will be temporarily closed while the other areas of the beach will remain open. There will be plenty of places for residents and visitors to enjoy Sanibel’s beaches during the project.
• Where is the sand coming from: The sand will be hauled from Vulcan Materials Company in Moore Haven, FL to Sanibel.

This afternoon, the City posted their first project update: “Contractors are mobilizing equipment and preparing for the first truckloads of sand to begin arriving on the island Monday morning, Dec 18 beginning around 6 a.m.

“Beginning Monday, crews will be working from the Donax Rd Beach Access west to Gulfside City Park (Reach 4) and from Tradewinds Dr Access west to Bowman’s Beach (Reach 1). Gulfside City Park beach parking lot will be closed temporarily for approximately one week beginning Mon, Dec 18. The Donax Rd Beach Access is also closed until further notice.”

Mystery Movie

The island rumor mill was rampant midweek when a film crew was on the islands preparing for what some said would become a Hallmark movie (no confirmation on that). It may be about a single gal who fell in love with her contractor after the hurricane (that’s also gossip).

Several days/nights of filming were confirmed on Captiva including at RC Otters, followed by later shootings on Sanibel at both MudBugs and Doc Ford’s. We will be watching for more news.

Captiva Community Carol Sing

The Captiva Community Carol Sing is Sun Dec 17 at 6 p.m. at Chapel by the Sea. This is the 12^th year of this special, open to the public, free event. It addition to group sing-alongs, it will include performances by the Sanibel School Choir and a small ensemble from the BIG ARTS Community Chorus.

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

Yesterday was the monthly general Membership Meeting of the islands Association of Realtors®. It kicked off a little late due to back-ups coming on the island but offered a great opportunity for members to mingle in their ugly Christmas sweaters and then listen to a presentation by Sanibel School Principal Jennifer Lusk.

Five sweater contest winners received gift cards, while breakfast was sponsored by David Arter with Private Client Insurance Services and Carol McCarley with Noak & Company (FIRPTA Specialists & CPA’s). Carol reminded attendees that both foreign buyers and sellers should contact her early in their transaction process so they are aware of the paperwork required, timeframes involved, and tax implications.

Principal Lusk’s Power Point provided a great summary of what the Sanibel School offers and covered the many school awards and test grades achieved by its students. Designated a “National Blue Ribbon School” many times by the U.S. Department of Education, the Sanibel School recently received its state rankings. It is the #5 Middle School in the state of Florida, and the #10 Elementary School. The individual grade rankings on various subjects (math, reading, etc.) showed that the Sanibel School percentiles doubled those of other students in Lee County at nearly every grade level. Pupils don’t need to live on the island to attend the Sanibel School. With 252 students ranging from pre-school to eighth grade and with a student to teacher ratio of 14:1, the learning experiences here are exceptional. The school is looking to increase enrollment, details on their website.

After the general membership meeting, a Realtor Open House Caravan followed. Just one new sale was announced. Eight island homes were then open until noon for viewing.

Below, with data from the islands MLS 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:	78	1,075,963	153	112	1,789,650	95	41	928,192	143
Under contract	7	1,038,971	90	14	2,120,071	33	2	2,747,500	147
Sold 2023 to 12/15	93	946,941	64	260	1,269,652	73	24	920,645	76
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	25	1,438,900	124	17	7,758,294	132	2	7,247,500	99
Under contract	2	1,447,500	22	2	4,122,500	98	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 12/15	16	830,062	101	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 Dec 8-15

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sandpiper Beach #103 2/2 $835K, Pelicans Roost #304 2/2 $1.498M.

1 back on market: Seashells #40 2/2 $475K.

2 price changes: Sanibel Arms #A7 1/1 now $379.9K, Lake Palms #3 2/2.5 now $589K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

6 new listings: 812 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $799K, 1578 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $975K, 737 Vinca Way 3/2 $1.199M, 4573 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $1.595M, 3357 St Kilda Rd 3/2.5 $1.625M, 1657 Venus Dr 2/2 $1.74M.

1 back on market: 2477 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $1.998M.

3 price changes: 4269 Gulf Pines Dr 2/2 now $728K, 235 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 nor $1.194M, 5810 Pine Tree Dr 4/3 now $2.8M.

7 new sales: 4752 Rue Helene 2/2 listed at $599K, 766 Donax St (duplex) 4/2.5 listed at $699K, 2058 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 listed at $985K, 1213 Sand Castle Rd 4/2.5 listed at $1.349M, 549 East Rocks Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.649M, 2871 Wulfert Rd 4/4 listed at $2.59M, 3421 West Gulf Dr 5/4.5.5 listed at $7.8M.

3 closed sales: 771 Rabbit Rd (1/2 duplex) 2/2 $600K, 2134 Egret Cir 3/2 $720K, 1143 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $775K.

LOTS

4 new listings: 2027 Sunrise Cir $540K, 1709 Sand Pebble Way $575K, 1707 Sand Pebble Way $575K, 1433 Jamaica Dr $600K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 395 Bella Vista Way E listed at $1.5M.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Bayside Villas #4116 1/2 $675K, Captiva Shores #6C 2/2 $1.575M.

1 back on market: Bayside Villas #5232 1/2 $645K.

1 price change: Captiva Shores #3B 3/2.5 now $1.5M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16485-488 Captiva Dr 20/11.5.5 $25.985M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 16211 Captiva Dr 4/4.5 listed at $4.75M.

No 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