There was nice weather on the islands again this week. Not much more rain, but a City update on the accumulation is below. The forecast calls for only a little rain next week also.

Captiva

Last Saturday, I took some friends around to see the progress on the islands since Hurricane Ian. When we ventured out to Captiva, I was surprised at South Seas Resort to see little change since my last visit there, several weeks ago. Lands End overlooking Redfish Pass now is blocked from entry and only one boat was docked at the marina. Overall, at the Resort, we saw few vehicles and even fewer people. Later, I heard they are only 7% occupied.

My travels this morning included another curiosity drive to Captiva where the beach is inviting and gulf waters sparkling. There were not many cars at either of the public beach parking areas, probably typical for a September Friday. They were both packed last weekend.

Also on Captiva, it looks like a major new project is underway at Jensen’s Marina & Cottages. The cottages had looked earlier like they were almost ready for occupancy.

The construction there now may be replacement of their septic, as the central area between the cottages is under huge excavation.

Performance of Stormwater System Amidst Record Rainfall

Tuesday the City posted: “Sanibel has experienced a record-breaking 58.55” of rain so far this year. At this point, we’ve had the highest amount of rainfall on Sanibel in 20 years. Even with just 8 more inches over the next four months, we’ll set a 10-year record for the year. The City is actively working to manage the impacts of this unprecedented rainfall.

“City staff are closely monitoring water levels in the Sanibel Slough and stormwater infrastructure across the island to ensure optimal performance. Due to storm surge events and record rainfall, tidal overflows have been limited, leading to fully saturated stormwater storage areas (lakes, ponds, and swales) and prolonged standing water.

“If you notice standing water persisting for more than 72 hours, please email the Public Works Department to investigate. City staff are working tirelessly to manage the stormwater system during this exceptional rainy season.

“Additionally, in the incoming months, the City is planning to update its Stormwater Master Plan and will be requesting public input throughout the process.”

Update on Temporary Pre-Season Closures & Re-Openings

·        Congress Jewelers announced their Sanibel store in Periwinkle Place will reopen Black Friday (day after Thanksgiving).

·        Lighthouse Café has reopened but is closed Mondays and Tuesdays through Sep. Back to regular hours beginning Wednesday Oct 2.

·        Mud Bugs Cajun Kitchen reopens for dinner today at 3 p.m. Friday Sep 13.

·        Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop provided an update that they cannot yet accept donations for their reopening which also has been delayed beyond Oct 1.

·        Over Easy Café is closed through Sep 19. Reopening Sep 20.

·        Sanibel Historical Village & Museum is closed through Oct 14.

·        Tarpon Bay Explorers is closed all of Sep.

·        Tutti Pazzi is closed though Sep 19. Reopening Sep 20.

Sanibel City Council Meeting

Monday, I listened in during the Sanibel City Council Meeting and again am grateful for the long hours and careful thought by our island leadership team. Beginning at 9 a.m. and not ending until late afternoon before reconvening at 5:30 p.m. for the First Budget Meeting, the agenda covered a wide range of subjects ranging from traffic, e-bikes, parking, ordinances re: post-Ian recovery/restoration, stormwater, and more.

What is especially productive with our five City councilors is how they take an issue where they may not initially agree on a solution but work together to fine-tune a way to move forward with our City Manager and staff providing the legwork needed to get to good results. When a vote is unanimous, it shows their spirit of cooperation. Go to MySanibel.com to link to listen to any of the City meetings. Betcha you also will be impressed.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

This week the local Association of Realtors® offered the classwork required by the state for license renewals. Tuesday, I attended the Core Law class taught by friend Pat Pitocchi from Naples.

The Monday class with Chuck Bonamer was on Fair Housing, while another Tuesday class with Pat covered Ethics. Wednesday was an all-day event with the Conservation Foundation covering Considerations of Coastal Living. Captiva Cruises and Sanibel Sea School staff also participated. Offering these classes locally won our Association a state education award. Our members love learning things they can share, while the trickledown effect benefits conservation. The networking from them also is a plus.

At Thursday Caravan Meeting only one new sale and two price reductions were announced. Two Beachcomber condos were open for viewing after the meeting.

At SanibelSusan Realty

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

At the current rate of sales, there now is about nine months of condo inventory on Sanibel, more than two years on Captiva. Sanibel homes continue to be the popular commodity. There are just four months of inventory now, but that will increase in the last quarter. With just six closed home sales year-to-date on Captiva, that market is more specialized, with two years of inventory available.

We look forward to what we hope is a better fall/winter selling season than last year, though the upcoming election uncertainty may delay some from buying until after Nov 6.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	64	1,046,701	149	80	2,787,588	152	27	1,029,700	256
Under contract	9	922,888	214	14	1,602,921	143	2	1,872,500	486
Sold 2024 to 9/13	59	820,856	114	137	1,457,299	107	12	1,402,166	147
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	29	1,499,189	148	18	6,920,722	264	1	12,000,000	379
Under contract	1	2,849,500	167	1	10,000,000	47	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2024 to 9/13	12	1,700,000	186	6	4,453,750	150	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 Sep 6-13:

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Mariner Pointe #811 2/2 $650K.

1 price change: Mariner Pointe #312 2/2 now $548K (SanibelSusan listing).

2 new sales: Sanibel Arms #D2 1/1 listed at $350K, Blind Pass #G-102 2/2 listed at $739K.

3 closed sales: Tennisplace #B32 2/1.5 $402K, Sanibel Moorings #1411 1/1 $524K, Sundial #H303 2/2 $650K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 2441 Shop Rd 4/3.5 $1.099M.

3 price changes: 421 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $1.095M, 517 Lake Murex Cir 4/3 now $1.569M, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5.5 now $2.25M.

2 new sales: 4577 Waters Edge Ln 4/4 listed at $4.895M, 4461 Waters Edge Ln 3/3.5 listed at $5.85M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 1653 Bunting Ln listed at $445K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #B-407 1/1 $495K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

2 new listings: 15153 Captiva Dr 3/3 $6.2M, 941 South Seas Plantation Dr 3/3.5 $10.995M.

No price changes, 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.

Wishing you good luck on Friday the 13^th, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan