Happy almost-New Year greetings from chilly Sanibel. While Floridians often relish summer-like weather year-‘round, this week, the heat has been on non-stop with daytime temps mainly in the 60’s/night’s 50’s. More of the same is expected next week. We really are spoiled being so used to warm sun-shiny blue-sky days. It was like that this afternoon (minus the warmth). Below are a couple of photos taken this afternoon at the beach access at the end of Dixie Beach Blvd at the spot my family calls Savannah Park. (Teammates Dave & Lisa used to walk their dog there.)

It rained Christmas Day and again yesterday. We aren’t used to that this time of the year, but it keeps tropical vegetation lush and critters watered. Continued excellent shelling has also been reported. (Still no junonia for me.)

Traffic Update

After complaints before the holiday about traffic and delays crossing the causeway, it has been a welcome reprieve since last Friday to have it clear sailing both directions going both off- and on-island. It may be busier next week when more dayworkers are back, but in the meantime, it has been wonderful to have easy traveling and to see how much causeway road work was accomplished.

Teammate Dave remarked this morning when he zipped on-island, that usually the week between Christmas and New Years is when traffic is heaviest. This year, it got his vote for being the easiest travel week!

The daily caravans of trucks bringing sand to Sanibel’s beach renourishment project had some worried that these extra vehicles would complicate traffic, but they don’t seem to be causing trouble. They have a well-organized system with staggered arrival times. They line up/staging on Island Inn Rd and then easily travel to Donax St or the west end when it is time to deliver their loads. I have followed many of them. Sometimes those are the only vehicles I have seen on the Gulf Dr roadways.

During island travels all week, I saw little evidence of day workers except the usual landscapers and pool service providers at a few homes. Maybe most are enjoying well-deserved time off like the causeway workers.

There definitely are more folks here for the holidays though as there have been more bikers and joggers than I have seen since I moved back home. Many are young families visiting parents and grands, hopefully creating wonderful holiday memories!

More Openings/Re-Openings

Just a reminder with the sign from the “J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge”.

Folks looking to rent, vacation, dine, and shop are getting more opportunities as additional properties and businesses open.

The Chamber of Commerce continues to be a good source of info, but here are a few I recently heard about through the grapevine:

Condos & Homes – Loggerhead Cay welcomed back some owners this week. Lights are on there at night. At Sanibel Moorings, their fencing is down and their website says a few select suites are now available for rent. Most of the island rental companies are also adding more to their inventories. Good to check them often if you are looking to book.

Sundial Beach Resort & Spa – will begin taking reservations on Mon Jan 8 for stays beginning Aug 3. Their pickleball and tennis courts are already open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. with day passes and memberships available. Their restaurants have not yet reopened, but their website says they are accepting wedding, event, and group bookings for 2024. More info at www.SundialResort.com.

Tahitian Gardens – More businesses are now open here including Adventures in Paradise, Sanibel Café (breakfast/lunch), Shiny Objects, Wilford & Lee.

Looking Forward to 2024

As islanders and others continue to rebound from recent storms, this week got me thinking as I prepared some year-end documents. What should I expect in 2024? How will the time that is usually high season (mid-Jan until Easter) be, compared to past years?

I think colleagues agree that the real estate business this winter likely will be off, though not as much as last year when we really were in the throes of recovery. As more accommodations become available, condominiums are repaired, and more visitors/prospective buyers can come, more sales will occur.

Interestingly, much of that recovery has to do with a mindset. After Hurricane Ian, I saw owners and visitors divide into two categories, often by personal choice. They became either survivors or victims. The victims said they wouldn’t or couldn’t come back, while the survivors who also often lost it all made plans to return. Many still have a long way to go, but they continue to fight their way back, often and usually helping each other.

Really the best part of Sanibel is its people, they are survivors. They love island life which basically is a collection of caring laid-back individuals from all over the country/world, with varied backgrounds and wherewithal, yet all living in harmony with each other and nature. It really is the best!

So, my 2024 prediction is that those thinking of purchasing or moving to paradise should do it sooner rather than later, because as the island rebounds, prices also will rise. These are not going to be the same islands that they were pre-Ian. If you liked them before, I bet you love the future more. Survivors, like the causeway, will be stronger, more resilient, and the neighborly mantra will be “more kindness”.

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

The local island Association of Realtors® did not meet this week but quite a few new listings, price reductions, new sales, and closings were posted in the MLS (Multiple Listing Service).

Teammate Dave put a condo under contract Christmas Eve, while another unit we have listed that was scheduled to close today has been delayed due to new post-storm complications. Patience is a virtue, flexibility is a must, and problems can be resolved. Thank goodness finding solutions is a team strength.

Members look forward to our next Realtor® Caravan Meeting on Thurs, Jan 4 This will be the first midday one followed by afternoon Open Houses.

Plans also are in the works for our Association Installation and Awards Gala which will be Jan 31 at The Dunes which recently reopened.

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:	84	1,076,358	150	127	1,802,854	93	43	1,020,160	151
Under contract	4	569,924	138	16	2,000,812	65	1	1,500,000	275
Sold 2023 to 12/29	98	955,261	63	262	1,270,033	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	29	1,435,534	119	17	7,817,117	146	2	7,247,500	113
Under contract	1	1,900,000	2	2	4,122,500	98	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023 to 12/29	17	834,176	98	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 22-29

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Oceans Reach #2A2 2/2 $850K, Heron at The Sanctuary I-3B 2/2.5 $1.275M, Pointe Santo #E7 3/2 $1.394M, Somerset #B102 3/3.5 $1.995M.

No price changes.

3 new sales: Sanibel Arms #C3 1/1 listed at $299,999 (SanibelSusan Team sale), Sundial #D203 1/1 listed at $579.9K, Pointe Santo #A27 3/2 listed at $1.795M.

3 closed sales: Spanish Cay #C4 2/2 $470K, Sundial #K405 2/2 $1.305M, Sundial #R406 2/2 $1.675M.

HOMES

6 new listings: 248 Christofer Ct 2/2.5 $1.124M, 3314 Saint Kilda Rd 3/2 $1.3M, 1396 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $1.55M, 2178 Starfish Ln 3/4.5 $2M, 707 Anchor Dr 3/2.5 $2.99M, 2480 Angel Dr 3/3.5 $3.695M.

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

3 price changes: 9393 Peaceful Dr 3/2 now $1.25M, 4760 Rue Helene 3/2 now $1.365M, 1202 Sand Castle Rd 4/2.5 now $1.595M.

2 new sales: 915 Limpet Dr 5/3 listed at $2.039M, 1042 Blue Heron Dr 3/3.5 listed at $2.495M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

1 new listing: 4801 Tradewinds Dr $1.875M.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

3 new listings: Bayside Villas #4212 1/2 $599K, Beach Villas #2224 2/2 $1.05M, Beach Villas #2433 2/2 $1.175M.

1 price change: Beach Villas #2521 2/2 now $1.025M.

No new or closed sales.

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.

Happy New Year,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan