After having my heat on for another week, maybe I should stop reporting about the weather in these Friday updates. It really has not been super cold, but if you spend enough years here, anything under 70 degrees F feels chilly. This week, many locals bundled up, while many visitors donned beachwear. Above pix at the Lighthouse was taken Wed.

While above photo by teammate Dave was from his boat Tues on the inner side of Blind Pass where he observed a huge number of anhinga and white pelicans!

This morning, it was a sunny 61. The forecast for next week includes more of the same, high 60’s/low 70’s during the day, down into the 50’s some nights. Rain is expected tomorrow which usually is the effect in Florida when there is snow up north.

I saw a post this week by Wink Weatherman Matt Devitt. His message said: “How crazy is this? Just 100 miles was a difference in seven feet of rainfall this year between Naples (30.48”) and Fort Lauderdale (113.61”). A simple drive along Alligator Alley separated the #1 driest year on record and the #1 wettest year on record.”

When I told teammate Dave about this, he reminded me that there still is plenty of standing water on the island. Imagine what that would be like if this wasn’t the dry side of the state.

Sanibel Traffic Update

Causeway travel since just before Christmas has continued to be a breeze. The middle of the week there were noticeably more construction crews back to work. That results in a bit of a delay when those vehicles come on island in the morning and leave late afternoon. I easily traveled both off and back this morning. Saw the most workers close to the toll booths as their finish work continues. Plenty of big trucks are moving material so it still pays to plan ahead and watch carefully.

More Island Re-Openings/Events

Cars & Coffee Cruise-In – at Periwinkle Place Sunday Jan 7 from 9 to 11 a.m. near Pinocchio’s newly-paved parking lot area. No pre-registration. Coffee and donuts served. Bring your “classic wheels” or just stop to view them. Contact Scot Congress for more info, scot@scongress.com.

Sanibel Day Spa – Announced it reopened Tues Jan 2 in Periwinkle Place. Initially, they plan to be open Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  More days/hours to come.

Sundial West – Announced that Sundial West (which is Bldgs A-K) will be closed for eight weeks from Jan 7 to Mar 4. Their new roofs are on, but there is major restoration work underway so only their contractors will be allowed on-site during that time. No showings then.

Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Business Meetings

Between the pandemic and hurricane, SanibelSusan missed participating in a couple of in-person Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando. This year, just their Legislative Think Tank meetings are being held virtually. I am a panelist with the Resort & Second Home Specialist Breakout Group that meets on Zoom this afternoon. Emerging technology with short-term rentals is on the agenda.

The in-person state meetings begin Jan 18 at a new location, the Hyatt Regency Orlando. This year, I will serve again on the Audition Panel for Florida Realtors® instructors. Nine panel groups will meet during this all-day event, each evaluating 8-10 prospective teachers. The next day during subcommittee meetings, I am on the Program Development Subcommittee. Then Jan 20, the Professional Development Committee meets where recommendations are forwarded to the Board of Directors. These in-person efforts all foster Realtor education, including cooperation between statewide educational programs,  planning/coordinating the Graduate Realtor Institute (GRI) and similar programs, and assisting/supporting local board educational offerings. It is always great to network with colleagues from around the state.

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

Yesterday was the islands’ Association of Realtors® first Caravan Meeting of the year. Held at The Community House, it was also our first midday meeting and well attended. Many new listings and a few sales were announced, followed by 12 Open Houses, all Sanibel homes. That is the most properties we have had on tour since the hurricane.

Several homes that were taken off the market for the summer/fall or when repairs were being done have been relisted. Others are getting price adjustments.

No surge in condo listings yet, mainly because most complexes have not yet reopened. That is pretty much their only common thread. It is amazing to continue to learn about the differences in complex restoration efforts, insurance proceeds, special assessments, 2024 maintenance fee changes, etc. Condo buyers are finding there is lot more to consider than just price, condition, and location.

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:	79	1,083,090	152	131	1,837,845	89	45	1,080,242	145
Under contract	4	569,924	141	18	1,917,666	69	1	1,500,000	275
Sold 2024 to 1/5	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023	98	955,261	65	263	1,267,390	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	28	1,449,303	127	17	7,787,470	153	2	7,247,500	120
Under contract	2	1,437,500	58	2	4,122,500	98	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2024 to 1/5	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2023	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 29-Jan 5

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Spanish Cay #C6 2/2 $470K, Sanibel Moorings #612 2/2 $779K.

2 price changes: Sundial #C310 1/1 now $625K, Kings Crown #217 2/2 now $1.605M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Spanish Cay #C4 2/2 $470K.

 HOMES

10 new listings: 3025 Poinciana Cir 3/2 $899K, 440 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.15M, 1410 Albatross Rd 3/3 $1.249M, 1425 Causey Ct 4/3 $1.295M, 421 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $1.299M, 1304 Par View Dr 3/3 $1.3M, 558 N. Yachtsman Dr 2/3 $1.999M, 1511 Angel Dr 4/3 $2.499M, 905 Snowberry Ln 4/3.5 $3.95M, 4461 Waters Edge Ln 3/3.5 $6.25M.

5 price changes: 998 Greenwood Ct N 3/2.5 now $719K, 9226 Kincaid Ct 3/2 now $995K, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5.5 now $2.95M, 5387 Shearwater Dr 4/4.5 now $2.995M, 4681 Rue Belle Mer 3/3.5 now $4.7M.

3 new sales: 1617 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/3 listed at $665K, 766 Donax St (duplex) 4/2.5 listed at $699K, 1657 Venus Dr 2/2 listed at $1.74M.

1 closed sale: 4752 Rue Helene 2/2 $575K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 967 Fitzhugh St $299K.

3 price changes: 972 Fitzhugh St now $295K, 2933 Wulfert Rd now $475K, 355 Cowry Ct now $525K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Captiva Shores #6C 2/2 now $1.5M.

1 new sale: Marina Villas #804 2/2 listed at $975K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 15153 Captiva Dr 3/3 now $5.995M.

No 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