It was another week with eyes on the weather as islanders look forward to the 2024 Hurricane Season wrapping up the end of this month. It can’t come soon enough for many of us.

The SanibelSusan Team looks forward to a sunshiny winter as restorations from the last storms progress and more re-openings are announced. I took a drive out to Captiva this morning where sand was being moved on San-Cap Rd near the Pine Ave intersection.

The public beach parking areas at both Blind Pass and Turner Beach remain closed.

The sand piles on the Captiva side remain huge! Still saw plenty of recovery occurring along the way though, with blue skies and sunshine.

Sanibel’s 50^th Anniversary Celebration

The City 50^th Anniversary began on Tuesday at City Hall when a time capsule was opened, beginning the celebration of when Sanibel registered voters on Nov 5, 1974, changed the future of the island by casting ballots in favor of incorporation.

Opting for home rule allowed residents to establish their own government and land use policies, taking that control away from Lee County. (Interesting that those poll results from 1974 were 689 in favor of incorporation, 394 voted no.)

Mayor Richard Johnson led the time capsule program which began with patriotic music performances by students from The Sanibel School. Past and present City leaders were recognized with it especially inspiring to hear remarks from first mayor Porter Goss who spearheaded the incorporation in 1974.

Former Mike Klein (now 105 years young) who served on City Council for two terms and then Mayor (1982-1988) also was in attendance and recognized. Even in the rain, it was a well-attended event with others watching by Zoom.

Upcoming Island Events & ReOpenings

Blind Pass Condos – Are reopening their on-site rental program for weekly reservations in their 2^nd floor units beginning tomorrow (Nov 9). Reservations are easily made thru their website at www.blind-pass.com.

Holiday Tree Lighting – At Sanibel Community Park, next door to The Community House, will be Saturday, Nov 30 at 5 p.m. This free event includes light refreshments and flipping the switch on the 20’ tree plus other festive decorations that will remain on display thru Dec.

Lighthouse Beach Park (Bayside) – Parking reopened this week at Lighthouse Beach bayside. The gulf-side parking area remains closed as crews work on the next phase of beach sand replenishment.

Sanibel Inn – Restoration is progressing so well that they have announced that they are accepting bookings beginning Feb. All rooms are new and include kitchenettes. www.TheInnsofSanibel.com.

36^th Annual Sanibel Luminary Stroll – Will be Friday, Dec 6 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. After two years absence, the stroll this year will be extra jolly with the 50^th Celebration added. Luminary candles and lights will deck the shared use paths while there will be special treats and deals at businesses along the way, plus photos with Santa, live nativity scene, music, and general merriment. Captiva’s stroll takes place the following night on Saturday, Dec 7.

Veterans Day 2024 – The Lee County Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America (MOAA), in partnership with the City of Sanibel will host the annual Veterans Day Celebration at City Hall on Monday, Nov 11 at 11 a.m. Click here to view the program.

Island Real Estate Scoop

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors© held their 27^th Annual RPAC Auction last night at the Association Office.

Usually held as an end-of-season party with golf tournament and auction, it was postponed this year due to the summer storms. Even without golf, it was another success.

Funds are being tallied now with RPAC proceeds being key to protecting and promoting real estate.

Again this year, SanibelSusan donated a $500 gift certificate to The Lobster Net.

There were on-line, silent, and live auction items), and winners of the R-quack duck prizes. Congrats to all the lucky bidders!

Next Thursday evening, Nov 14, at Tutti Pazzi Italian Kitchen, the Association is holding another special event. This one, Merry F.I.S.H.mas is where member donations will be collected for F.I.S.H. to distribute over the holidays to local children, teens, and seniors.

There was not a Caravan Meeting this week, the next one is after the monthly membership meeting on Nov 21. 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.

The only new sale reported this week on either island is a beachfront 2^nd floor unit at Oceans Reach listed at $625K.

The election results this week should help sales, but as we have told many owners, our crystal ball has never dealt with three major hurricanes. We advise to price listings fairly and competitively but have no guarantee on when sales may occur.

SanibelSusan Realty added two new listings to our inventory this week. Thanks to JMA Photography for filming them quickly. As soon as the professional pix are received, the properties will be posted in MLS as “active”. We always want our listings to give a good first impression.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	76	1,008,998	151	106	2,051,499	113	29	1,038,475	260
Under contract	11	961,000	120	7	1,069,414	108	1	3,300,000	499
Sold to 11/8/24	64	816,961	125	151	1,457,854	115	13	1,319,461	175
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	1,299,953	151	17	6,853.352	283	1	12M	435
Under contract	0	N/A	N/A	1	10M	47	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 11/8/24	13	1,728,846	185	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 Nov 1-8:

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Spanish Cay #E3 2/2 $670K, Lighthouse Point #319 2/2 $699K, Coquina Beach #4B 2/2 $729K, Sanibel Siesta #502 2/2 $939K, Nutmeg Village #211 2/2 $1.125M.

4 price changes: Sandalfoot #4D3 2/2 now $650K, Sanibel Siesta #804 2/2 now $749K, Tantara #202 2/2 now $959K, Sunward #102 2/2 now $1.2M.

1 new sale: Oceans Reach #3B2 1/1 listed at $625K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

7 new listings: 1607 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/2 $795K, 1046 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $850K, 566 Boulder Dr 3/2 $925K, 9225 Dimmick Dr 4/2.5 $950K, 240 Southwinds Dr 4/3 $999K, 3311 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 $1.089M, 1421 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $1,195,450.

2 back-on-market: 586 Boulder Dr 3/2 $599K, 567 Rabbit Rd 2/2 $875K.

7 price changes: 1813 Long Point Ln 4/2.5 now $850K, 2441 Shop Rd 4/3.5 now $949K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 now $1.275M, 5300 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 now $1.449M, 539 N Yachtsman 4/3.5 now $1.749M, 2364 Wulfert Rd 4/4 now $1.848M, 5387 Shearwater Dr 4/4.5 now $1.875M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 2474 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $1.9M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 2310 Wulfert Rd $349K.

1 back on market: 967 Fitzhugh St $265K.

1 price change: 4801 Tradewinds Dr now $1.7M.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

4 new listings: Bayside Villas #4116 1/2 $595K, Bayside Villas #4118 1/2 $595K, Bayside Villas #5122 1/2 $599K, Bayside Villas #5301 3/3 $1.45M.

1 price change: Gulf Beach Villas #2011 1/1 now $720K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 16632 Captiva Dr 5/4 now $6.25M.

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, more blue skies and mid-80-degree days are expected here,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan