It’s SanibelSusan reporting another sunshiny Friday following another week of wonderful Florida winter weather. The forecast for next week is similar though it shows a chance of rain on Monday and Tuesday daytime temperatures might hit 80 degrees F.

Re-Building, Re-Openings, Restoration

Sanibel Lighthouse – If you saw photos of the Lighthouse last week with scaffolding, it has an even more “work in progress” look this week. Additional protection was added as part of the process in cleaning, sandblasting, and painting the structure. It now has the appearance of a lighthouse in disguise. If you go to check it out, also be sure to see the wide expanded East End beach where sand restoration continues.

Shell Museum – Today (Mar 1) is the reopening of the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum’s Living Gallery of Aquariums. Open Tues through Sat from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., admission fees are reduced until the full restoration at the museum is complete.

In addition to their ongoing educational lectures, fieldwork, classes, research, and K-12 programs (all of which continued through rebuilding), with the aquariums open, the museum now also offers daily Keeper Chats, Touch Pool Talks, and a new mobile activity cart featuring shell identification. All of these are included in the price of admission.

Work to rebuild the 2^nd floor permanent shell exhibits in the Great Hall of Shells will continue through spring. Once that is done, it will include more than three times as many shells as pre-storm, expanded conservation and environmental education exhibits, and a new family activity area.

Suncatchers’ Dream – Suncatchers’ Dream at 630 Tarpon Bay Rd, in the Olde Sanibel Shoppes Center, which was destroyed during the storm has been restored and just announced their upcoming reopening celebrations which will be on Thurs and Fri March 28 and 29 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to their many island gifts, cards, and books, a rep from Dune Jewelry also will be there showcasing special items made with island sand.

Most Charming Small Town in Florida

The following article was posted this week on News Channel 8 (Tampa) (WFla):

“If you’re looking for the charm of a small town but still want a relaxing beach getaway, you might want to take a trip to a beach town on Florida’s southwest coast.

 “According to Reader’s Digest, Sanibel has earned a spot among the most charming small towns in America. Reader’s Digest said Sanibel is known for “fabulous seashell finds” and wildlife sightings. The magazine recommended travelers visit the Sanibel Historical Museum…. Reader’s Digest said the museum is packed with artifacts from the Calusa Native Americans, Spanish, and other pioneers who lived in Sanibel.

 “The magazine recommended the Island Inn, a gulf-front hotel on West Gulf Drive…. Although Hurricane Ian hit the town in 2022, city officials said they have worked to restore the beach and nature destinations, including rebuilding the Sanibel Causeway, which was severed during the storm. “We may not be perfect yet, but we still consider the islands of Sanibel & Captiva their own brand of paradise. Many agree and continue to visit to help support our recovery,” city officials said.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate News

The local Association of Realtors® Caravan of Open Houses is next Thursday afternoon (Mar 7), with the next Membership Meeting and Caravan on Mar 25. The event next week is at the Library and the membership meeting  at The Community House. Restoration of the Association building at 2353 Periwinkle Way continues. It’s getting close.

Below, with data from the islands MLS, are summary tables of the island residential sales statistics, followed by the MLS action reported this week.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Feb 23‑Mar 1 

Sanibel

CONDOS

6 new listings: Sanibel Siesta #605 2/2 $875K, Oceans Reach #4C3 2/2 $900K, Oceans Reach #4D1 2/2 $910K, Sunset South #15B 2/2 $1.1M, Sundial #L402 3/2 $1.35M, Tamarind #B302 3/2 $2.795M.

3 price changes: Sunset South #3C 2/2 now $699K, Sundial #K403 2/2 now $1.15M, Villas of Sanibel #A201 3/3 now $1.495M.

2 new sales: Sundial #D309 1/1 listed at $449K, Island Beach Club #220A 2/2 listed at $560K.

2 closed sales: Tantara #302 3/2 $1.8M, Somerset #B102 3/3.5 $1.9M.

HOMES

14 new listings; 4049 Coquina Dr 3/2 $575K, 530 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $750K, 293 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 $998.9K, 4619 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 $999K, 9247 Dimmick Dr 3/2 $1.095M, 5414 Osprey Ct 3/3 $1.406M, 944 Whelk Dr 3/2 $1.595M, 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 $1.6999M, 828 Sand Dollar Dr 4/3 $1.87M, 938 Pecten Ct 3/2.5 $1.895M, 2303 Troon Ct 3/3.5.5 $2.298M, 1507 Angel Dr 3/2.5 $2.499M, 5048 Joewood Dr 4/3.5 $2.55M, 1025 S Yachtsman Dr 4/3 $2.85M.

14 price changes: 3025 Royal Poinciana Cir 3/2 now $849K, 199 Southwinds Dr 3/3 now $995K, 2479 Blind Pass Ct 3/2 now $999.9K, 235 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 now $1.094M, 1426 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1,199,999; 1450‑1460 Court Pl 5/4.5 now $1.2M, 1067 Sand Castle Rd 4/2 now $1.225M, 1306 Par View Dr 3/3.5 now $1.39M, 3708 Agate Ct 3/3.5 now $1.39M, 3822 Coquina Dr 4/3.5 now $1.395M, 4171 Dingman Dr 3/3 now $1.399M, 2525 Lands End Pl 4/3 now $2.174M, 1511 Angel Dr 4/3 now $2.199M, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5.5 now $2.75M.

2 back-on-market: 863 Rabbit Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/2 $678.5K, 218 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 $1.488M.

11 new sales: 3902 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $539K, 1481 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 listed at $679K, 998 Greenwood Ct N 3/2.5 listed at $705K, 3312 Saint Kilda 3/2 listed at $777K, 737 Vinca Way 3/2 listed at $1.075M, 6460 Pine Ave 3/2 listed at $1.25M, 3212 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 listed at $1.3M, 1769 Venus Dr 3/2 listed at $1.949M, 2711 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5.5 listed at $1.998M, 4681 Rue Belle Mer 3/3.5 listed at $4.7M, 707 Anchor Dr 3/2.5 listed at $2.99M.

3 closed sales: 5151 San-Cap Rd 2/2 $399K, 9393 Peaceful Dr 3/2 $1.15M, 5690 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 $2.2M.

3 new listings: 5642 Baltusrol Ct $439, 5648 Baltusrol Ct $449K, Lot 19 Coquina Dr $515K.

2 price changes: 3730 Coquina Dr now $565K, 4657 Rue Belle Mer now $3.3M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 4163 West Gulf Dr $3.51M.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Gulf Beach Villas #2126 2/2 now $1.25M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11517 Wightman Ln 4/3 now $3.1M.

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