Greetings from the Southern Caribbean Sea

Aruba

This is SanibelSusan’s 707th Friday Sanibel & Captiva real estate blog, covering a period of 13-1/2 years. Today is the first one in March that was not prepared on Sanibel.

My real estate pal, Mary Lou, had a special birthday this week, one deserving of a celebratory vacation.

Island recovery this winter, including lack of accommodations, has made it a unique time and has affected business, so she agreed to go on a birthday cruise to the ABC islands. We are aboard the Celebrity Reflection, left Ft. Lauderdale Sat, toured Aruba, Bonaire, and Curaçao, and are now heading back to Ft. Lauderdale.

Today’s technology has made it easy for both of us to continue business from afar, though we also have help at home who have assisted this week with showings and property visits.

If you are wondering, the ABC islands continue to have high temps year-round (mid 80’s F when we were there), humid, arid, and quite breezy. Our excursions were fun, the islanders happy and relaxed, like on our islands. These Dutch islands also are very clean, with beautiful beaches and many natural preserved areas.

Two Shell Events

If you are on the island now or tomorrow, extra traffic is expected from two shell events:

The 2024 Sanibel-Captiva Shell Show is today and tomorrow at the Marriott Sanibel Harbor Resort and Spa which is just before the causeway.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. both day, this event is larger this year with scientific and artistic exhibits, as well as many vendors with shell-related items.

Meanwhile at the Sanibel Community House, the shell crafters are hosting the 87th Annual Shell Festival which began Thurs and runs both today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Florida Legislative Session

I just received a thank you email from Florida Realtors 2024 President, Gia Arvin. It included the below summary which may interest you.

”Just a few minutes ago, the Florida Legislature ended its annual 60-day legislative session, bringing numerous victories for our profession, our customers, property owners and the

With Gia in Orlando at the Mid-Winter Business Meetings Jan 2024

communities where we live and work. At the center of our advocacy success was the Realtor voice, which not only helped move the needle on some of our key issues but also helped us achieve notable state budget wins for affordable housing and the environment.

”One of our largest advocacy successes this year was $100 million to fund the Hometown Heroes Housing Program. Since 2021, this highly successful first-time homebuying program has helped more than 14,000 hard-working Floridians buy their first home. This additional funding will help thousands more when the money becomes available after July 1 of this year.

“In addition to the Hometown Heroes Housing funding, we also achieved other significant legislative wins such as:

• $408 million for state and local programs that increase affordable housing options for Floridians.
• $1.2 billion for water quality and environmental projects to keep Florida clean and beautiful.
• $230 million to help Floridians harden their homes and condominiums against storms while saving on insurance premiums.
• Increased transparency and availability of condominium and HOA documentation.
• A decrease in Floridians’ property insurance premiums.
• The creation of a seller flood disclosure so buyers can make informed decisions and reduce post-closing disputes.
• A streamlined process for sheriffs to remove squatters occupying residential property.

“This was a tremendously successful legislative session, and I can’t thank you enough for lending your voice and your time to advocate on behalf of the Realtor® profession.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate News

The local Association of Realtors® Caravan of Open Houses was yesterday at The Sanibel Library. Seven Sanibel homes and one on Captiva were open for viewing following  the meeting,

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 Mar 1-8

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sundial #A408 2/2 $995K.

1 back on market: Sunset South #12D 2/2 $620K.

5 price changes: Spanish Cay #C6 2/2 now $439K, Captains Walk #B5 2/1 now $459K, TennisPlace #C34 2/1.5 now $550K, Sundial #K403 2/2 $1.15M, Sandpiper West 3/2.5 now $2.55M.

5 new sales: Sundial #D312 1/1 listed at $498K, Sunset South #9B 2/2 listed at $599.9K, Loggerhead Cay #282 2/2 listed $844K, Sundial #N203 2/2 listed at $995K, Bandy Beach #E101 3/2 listed at $1.05M.

2 closed sales: Sanibel Siesta #501 2/2 $645K, Sanibel Siesta #402 2/2 $769.9K.

HOMES

10 new listings; 2005 Mitzi Ln 2/2 $794.5K, 5869 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 $1.05M, 396 Lake Murex Blvd 3/2 $1.1M, 3205 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 $1.45M, 9020 Mickingbird Dr 3/2 $1.595M, 994 Whelk 3/2 $1.595M, 1111 Schooner Pl 3/3 $1.99M, 2364 Wulfert Rd 4/4 $1.998M, 978 Oyster Ct 4/4 $2.995M, 4731 Rue Belle Mer 5/5.5 $8.95M.

12 price changes: 1719 Serenity Ln 3/2 now $798K, 465 Lake Murex Cir 2/2.5 now $999K, 3343 Saint Kilda Rd 3/2 now $1.122M, 9421 Moonlight Dr 3/2 now $1.159M, 4400 Gulf Pines Dr 4/3 $1.395M, 1241 Junonia St 4/3 now $1.495M, 557 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 now $1.65M, 900 Almas Ct 4/4.5 now $2.15M, 5810 Pine Tree Dr 4/3 now $2.5M, 2287 Starfish Ln 4/4 now $2,599,999; 2255 Troon Ct 4/5 now $2.699M, 3767 West Gulf Dr 6/6.5 now $9.95M.

11 new sales: 1377 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $699K, 1251 Par View Dr 3/2.5 listed at $790K, 1578 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $895K, 198 Southwinds Dr 3/2 listed at $1.224M, 1067 Sand Castle Rd 4/2 listed at $1.225M, 1321 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 listed at $1.325M, 5298 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2.5 listed at $1.495M, 1025 S Yachtsman Dr 4/3 listed at $2.85M.

8 closed sales: 1535 Wilton Ln 2/2 $585K, 4263 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $750K, 2058 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 $950K, 1213 Sand Castle Rd 4/2.5 $1.175M, 1322 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 $1.4M, 2294 Wulfert Rd 4/4 $1.75M, 3935 West Gulf Dr 6/6.5 $7.55M.

1 new listing: 3304 Saint Kilda Rd $739K.

3 price changes: 1757 Windward Way now $449K, 1331 Par View Dr now $529K, 1321 Seaspray Ln now $899K.

1 new sale: 972 Fitzhugh listed at $295K.

1 closed sale: 4640 Rue Belle Mer $1.25M.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Lands End Village #1656 3/3  $2.85M. 

1 price change: Bayside Villas #4116 1/2 now $650K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Gulf Beach Villas #2118 2/2 $985K.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 57 Sandpiper Ct 3/2 now $1.499M.

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! We dock early Sunday morning!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan