It’s another cloudy Friday, following another week of not-so-wonderful island weather. Days like this remind me of why I moved here. Doesn’t everyone want to go to a warm sunny beach to get away from winter?

Though our SW FL weather has been nothing like what northern areas have and are experiencing, Tues Florida had a front pass through with occasional high winds and heavy rain. Mid-afternoon, the City issued tornedo warmings. The front didn’t pass here until after sunset and was fizzling out by then. A few low-lying areas had some overnight flooding, with the Blind Pass beach parking area closed most of the next day until water receded.

Since then, cooler than usual weather has continued with mostly cloudy days – daytime temps in the 60’s to low 70’s, nights cooler. Local vegetation still rebounding, even with no attention, my hibiscus plants look happy (photo below taken this afternoon).

Forecast says it might even get into the 40’s by the middle of next week before I head to Orlando for Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Business Meetings. It’s always fun there, seeing colleagues from around the state wearing varying wardrobes depending on their home location, and that weather. Many are in fancy business suits or coats with boots and closed-toed shoes, I also dress professionally, but island-style and always with my flip flops.

Resort & Second Homes Think Tank Meeting

The first Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Business Meetings were remote. Those Think Tanks were last Thurs and Fri by Zoom. This year,122 Realtors® were appointed to the Resort & Second Homes Think Tank. Our meeting covered emerging technology in the short-term rental business, a legislative update, and discussion of local ordinances and issues.

With the Florida Legislature just back in session, there are several vacation rental bills that we are following and will report on in the upcoming weeks.

Below are a few meeting snippets.

• Tourism contributes over $101 billion to Florida’s economy, supporting about two million jobs.
• The average VRBO traveler is a 50-year-old woman traveling with a family of four.
• Earlier this year, Airbnb officially banned parties, with restrictions for those 25 and younger.
• Airbnb & VRBO both allow owners to establish rules re: booking.
• Consider tools that serve as guest screening and insurance like Superhog, Autohost or Proper.
• Noise monitoring devices like Minut which can be installed both outside and inside, also can detect occupancy, motion, temperature, mold, alarms. (They are small, about the size of a smoke alarm.)
• Rentals should have a guide book. (Can provide digital ones through Hostfully and Touchstay.) Guides should include quiet hours, maximum # of guests, trash rules, parking guidelines, security deposit outline, recycling, local attractions & businesses, events, etc.
• Breezeaway offers good safety info.

Island Re-Openings

Resorts – Sanibel Moorings ribbon-cutting Tues was well attended, followed by coverage on Fox4,com which says; “The Moorings Resort, a condominium-style resort, is the first of its kind to resume operations on Sanibel Island. Kari Cordisco, the General Manager of the resort, shared her views on the reopening. “It’s an amazing feeling,” Cordisco remarked, underlining the efforts taken to reach this stage. The resort, which combines individual ownership with hotel-like amenities, has been able to make 62 of its 122 rooms available for booking. The path to the reopening involved significant financial investment, as Cordisco noted, “The recovery and the rebuild, we’re looking at more than $20 million.”

“Just down the road, Sundial, the island’s largest resort, is also progressing toward reopening. They’ve begun accepting reservations for the month of August. General Manager Becky Miller highlighted all the upgrades this time around. “It’s going to be everything new, gorgeous, with new swimming pools, and all nw amenities,” Miller said. The resort plans to reopen part of its facilities within four months, including five restaurants, tennis, pickleball courts, and a fitness center. The restaurants will be open to the public. Despite these positive developments, the overall recovery of Sanibel Island’s hospitality industry is ongoing. According to the Sanibel Chamber of Commerce, currently, only about 13% of the island’s rooms are available for guests. The expectation is that this number will double throughout the year and eventually reach 75% by 2026.”

Sunshine Island Inn – at 642 East Gulf Dr announced their reopening Wed with the arrival of their first guests. Their website www.SunshineIslandInn.com has more details with photos of their units.

The owner also advises they also have received their permit to restore Kona Kai at 1539 Periwinkle Way. That’s next.

Chico’s – had their reopening yesterday at their original location in Periwinkle Place. Many remember when Chico’s began there in 1983, founded by islanders, the Gralnicks. Even before moving here, I always looked forward to shopping there and later enjoyed watching them expand nationally, then internationally. Last week it announced it sold to Sycamore Partners for about a billion dollars! The sale included their sister companies White House Black Market, and Soma. Sycamore Partners is a private equity firm that also owns retailers Loft Ann Taylor, Talbots, Belk, Hot Topic, and Lane Bryant.

Events for Newbies

Island newcomers are encouraged to join one of the conservation foundation’s (SCCF’s) two day-long workshops introducing new residents, business owners, and employees to coastal ecosystems. To be held 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Mon, Jan 22, and Mon, Mar 4. Only 28 spots are available for each day. (Reservations on www.EventBrite.com. These field trips will go to:

• SCCF’s Bailey Homestead Preserve and Native Landscapes and Garden Center to learn about early settlers to the island and basic ecology.
• SCCF’s Marine Laboratory and other properties to hear from SCCF researchers about wildlife, habitat, and water quality.
• Captiva Cruises for an informative boat ride exploring Pine Island Sound, its creatures, and some of SCCF’s mangrove restoration work.

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

The local Association of Realtors® did not have a caravan this week, but Tues our Professional Development Committee met to organize educational offerings for the year. A full calendar will be announced at our Installation and Awards Gala on Jan 31.

For Realtors® planning ahead, the 12 class modules required to earn the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation are being scheduled from May 30 to Jun 7; while the annual continuing education classes needed for license renewals will be offered Sept 9-

Below, with data from the islands MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the island MLS action this week. Inventory is growing with new listings continuing to outpace sales.

The upcoming Monday holiday usually signals the start of the “busy season” which typically goes until Easter. As restoration continues and more properties become ready for occupancy, we hope to see more sales.

While teammates Dave and Lisa handle things on the home-front, my update next Friday will be from Orlando between subcommittee meetings and the state Inaugural Banquet. I then drive back home Sat after the Professional Development Committees meets and the Legal and Professional Standards update concludes.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	77	1,079,116	160	139	1,827,143	88	45	1,068,131	152
Under contract	7	873,971	92	20	1,672,100	67	1	1,500,000	275
Sold 2024 to 1/12	1	865,000	181	2	2,575,100	121	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	26	1,495,250	137	18	7,904,833	152	2	7,247,500	127
Under contract	4	1,118,250	71	1	4,750,000	18	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2024 to 1/12	0	N/A	N/A	1	3,275,000	207	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 Jan 5-12 

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Siesta #402 2/2 $789.9K, Beachcomber #B302 2/2 $1.495M.

1 price change: Sanibel Arms #E3 1/1 now $419.9K

4 new sales: Sanibel Siesta #501 2/2 listed at $689K, Sanibel Moorings #612 2/2 listed at $779K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-3B 2/2.5 listed at $1.275M, Somerset #B102 3/3.5 listed at $1.995M.

1 closed sales: Loggerhead Cay #174 2/2 $865K.

HOMES

11 new listings; 2166 Egret Cir 3/2 $799K, 36092 San-Cap Rd 2/2 $1.049M, 799 Casa Ybel Rd (duplex) 5/3 $1.1M, 1726 Sanderling Cir 3/2 $1.149M, 932 Whelk Dr 3/3 $1.15M, 957 Cabbage Palm Ct 3/3 $1.295M, 697 Spartina Ct 3/2.5 $1.299M, 3708 Agate Ct 3/3.5 $1.44M, 1720 Dixie Beach Blvd 3/3 $1.649M, 930 Strangler Fig Ln 5/3.5 $1.65M, 2667 Coconut Dr 3/3 $2.995M.

7 price changes: 1119 Schooner Pl 2/2 now $795K, 4263 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 now $795K, 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 now $825K, 9126 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $949,999, 3990 Coquina Dr 3/2 now $997K, 1426 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1.25M, 595 Piedmont Rd 3/2 now $1.499M.

4 new sales: 1835 Ardsley Way 2/2 listed at $450K, 2991 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 listed at $525K, 812 Rabbit Rd 3/2 listed at $799K, 848 Birdie View Pt 4/3.5 listed at $2.495M.

2 closed sales: 1297 Par View Dr 3/2 $1M, 488 Lighthouse Way 4/4 $4.15M.

LOTS

No new listings.

3 price changes: 0 Bowmans Beach Rd now $179K, 6068 Dinkins Lake Rd now $599K, 4163 West Gulf Dr now $3.995M.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

3 price changes: Tennis Villas #3126 1/1 now $425K, Bayside Villas #5108 1/2 now $590K, Bayside Villas #5232 1/2 now $595K.

2 new sales: Bayside Villas #4212 1/2 listed at $599K, Gulf Beach Villas #2118 2/2 listed at $999K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16770 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 $9.9M.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 1101 Tallow Tree Ct 4/4 $3.275M.

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 & stay warm – wherever you are!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan