Summer sunshine already is here on Sanibel. My car last weekend reported temperatures as high as 104 degrees F. Yikes! That is as hot as it rarely gets in late summer. Sure hope that is not an omen for what is to come.

Short of the brief shower last week, there has been no rain with the next week also expected to be filled with more sunshine. Daytime temps forecast to hit 90. There should be wonderful weather for those in SW FL over the holiday.

Water Update

It never gets old, driving across the causeway or going to the beach and seeing the crystal clear bright blue water. Thinking toward the weekend, the Conservation Foundation (SCCF) had an interesting “good news, bad news” social media post this week. It says:

“The bad news? Around 50% of Lake Okeechobee (open water) is covered in blue-green algae.

“The good news? Because of your advocacy, Southwest Florida is at lowered risk for algae-filled water releases from Lake O. Since releases began in February, the lake has been lowered from 16.33 feet to 13.42 feet, all before the rainy season.

““Thanks to effective stakeholder collaboration and science-based management decisions, the lake is well under 15 feet, meaning there’s less need to send water to the northern estuaries — the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie,” said SCCF Environmental Policy Director Matt DePaolis.

“In addition, an improved management plan for the lake known as the Lake Okeechobee System Operating Manual (LOSOM) is finally expected to be adopted this summer — after five years of development and delays. LOSOM will maximize the number of days the Caloosahatchee and St. Lucie watersheds receive optimal flows from Lake Okeechobee, as well as increase the volume of water conveyed south to the Everglades and Florida Bay.

“Stay informed by signing up for our Weekly Water Conditions Tracker: https://sccf.org/…/wat…/weekly-water-conditions-tracker/”

SCCF Turtle Patrol posted today that 126 loggerhead and 1 leatherback nests have already been identified on the islands. Don’t forget “lights out after 9.”

 

More Re-Openings & Post-Ian Progress

Every time I drive around the island, I see more progress. We still complain that “it’s taking a long time”, but it really is getting better. On my street where it usually is quiet this time of the year, a new home is going up on one side of me. On the other side, the recently-sold large elevated home had its metal roof and solar panels removed. Those made loud random crashes when they hit the ground. I couldn’t watch the large crew scurrying around so high up and in such sweltering temps.

Like in most neighborhoods, several damaged homes on my street remain under construction, while new ones are springing up where properties that could not be repaired were removed. All progress, just the same.

Our Sanibel Square office still has not been completed, so again this week, I met with clients in my living room. That sure makes working easy! Makes me understand how those that worked from home during the pandemic liked it.

Bailey’s Shopping Center – Last week Sanibel Planning Commission approved the master plan for the new Bailey’s Center. They still have some administrative hurdles before construction begins, but in the meantime, they say they hope to open an interim small store on Rabbit Road this year.

Pointe Santo – I fielded more questions this week about progress at Pointe Santo. Here is what I have found out. Driving by, it looks like the exterior painting is done, while the roof work continues. The old tennis courts were removed and construction of the new ones is underway. Fencing and nets were just installed. Landscaping and pool repairs have not yet begun, but units on 2^nd through 4^th floors have been turned over to owners for repairs/completion by their own contractors . Most 1^st floor units have been framed in. Drywall is next. The new clubhouse is expected to be completed in 2025. No word yet on when the community is safe enough for occupancy.

Sanibel Ball Field – Next to the Sanibel School, reopened yesterday afternoon with a ribbon cutting following by community games and refreshments. The Rec Center posted a reminder that the ball fields and pavilion are open for public use outside of school hours (evenings, weekends, holidays, summer breaks). They also said to keep an eye out for their upcoming announcement on adult pick-up softball.

Best Hiking Trails in America

This week “USA Today” announced its 2024 “10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards”. The Indigo Trail at the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge was named one of the Best Hiking Trails in America. No other Florida locations are in that top ten, but it joins the list with Yellowstone National Park, Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and Bryce Canyon National Park. It is not just seashells that make Sanibel special. This is quite an honor!

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate News

There was no local Caravan meeting this week, but we look forward to our monthly membership meeting next Thursday, following the start on Wednesday of the annual classes for Realtors® looking to earn the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation. I have my class updated (The Resort & Second Home Market) and look forward to kicking off the 12-module series. Also have my funny resort-wear props ready. After introductions, I always begin with a pop quiz. Helps me learn how much the group knows about this market, so I can tailor the presentation accordingly. Correct answerers earn a prop which they wear for a group photo when the class wraps up. This is my 12^th year teaching this class, so these photos are expected and fun remembrances.

Below, with data from the islands Multiple Listing Service (MLS) are summary tables of the island residential sales statistics, followed by the Sanibel/Captiva MLS action reported this week.

It again was a quiet week for new sales. On Sanibel, two condos, a home, and a lot went under contract, while Captiva had one home sold.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	95	1,079,655	157	146	2,182,994	129	37	954,078	217
Under contract	8	1,181,625	138	20	1,892,325	104	3	731,333	94
Sold 2024 to 5/24	38	835,934	129	91	1,456.203	95	7	1,922,285	168
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	32	1,516,906	169	18	7,300,833	212	2	13,750,000	197
Under contract	3	1,823,333	242	2	3,122,500	130	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2024 to 5/24	8	1,828,125	117	4	5,368,125	132	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 May 17-24

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sanibel Moorings #632 2/2 $779K.

4 price changes: Tennisplace #B32 2/1.5 now $449K, Sundial #H303 2/2 now $792.5K, Sanibel Moorings #1342 2/2 now $919K, Tigua Cay #487 3/3.5 now $1.95M.

2 new sales: Sunset South #12C 2/2 listed at $600K, Sunset South #3C 2/2 listed at $699K.

No closed sales:

HOMES

3 new listings: 9225 Belding Dr 3/2 $695K, 1454 Sandpiper Cir 4/3 (1/2 duplex) $699,999; 1242 Par View Dr 3/2 $1.195M.

3 price changes:  2105 Sunset Cir 3/2 now $995K, 218 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 now $1.45M, 819 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 now $1.795M.

1 back-on-market: 2604 Coconut Dr 3/2 $1.25M.

1 new sale: 1318 Seaspray Ln 5/3.5 listed at $2.495M.

5 closed sales: 2005 Mitzi Ln 2/2 $760K, 396 Lake Murex Blvd 3/2 $1M, 1306 Par View Dr 3/3.5 $1.3M, 9020 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 $1.495M, 900 Almas Ct 4/4.5 $2.025M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Bowmans Beach #25 listed at $175K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5321 3/3 $1.625M.

1 price change: Gulf Beach Villas #2126 2/2 now $1.195M.

1 back-on-market: Beach Homes #25 3/2 listed at $2.8495M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 15891 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 $6.9M.

1 price change: 14865 Mango Ct 2/2 now $1.689M.

1 new sale: 11516 Wightman Ln 5/4.5 listed at $3.395M.

No 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 Memorial Day weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan