As the islands prepare for the holidays, there also was more noticeable storm recovery progress this week plus the annual arrival of the white pelicans!

It was a rare overcast day on Wednesday when a few sprinkles probably washed away more salt residue from the recent storms. Vegetation is greening up.

Then, last night a cool front arrived with temperatures down into the 50’s this morning.

It is up to 72 degrees F and sunny this afternoon, but probably time to get out the winter flip flops!

SCCF News on Vegetation

SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) has posted good advice if you have trees and shrubs that have lost their leaves and appear struggling since the recent storms when high winds and surges shocked them. SCCF says these plants are simply stressed and many will rebound.

The issue started two years ago with Hurricane Ian when that high storm surge left pools of salt water in many areas for an extended period. This caused a high percentage of hardwood trees and vegetation, including exotics, to perish and caused root rot in others. Many have been dying over the last two years. Then, the surges this fall from Helene and Milton pushed many to fail completely. SCCF reports that gumbo limbo and strangler fig trees seem to be the most affected now, while after Ian, it was buttonwood.

Salt-tolerant grasses and plants usually recover quickly from storm events, and not all plants with no leaves are dead. SCCF suggests scratching a little bit of bark off a branch or two or even the stem and if you see green underneath, the plant is alive. Many in my yard are coming back slowly, others are “wait and see”.

Upcoming Island Events & Re-Openings

Community Thanksgiving Celebration – with holiday meal is hosted by FISH of Sanibel-Captiva will be at The Community House, Tuesday, Nov 26 from 4 to 6 p.m.

Farmers Markets – Local Roots, the Sanibel gals that have operated eight markets in SWFL announced that the Captiva Market will reopen on Tuesdays, beginning Nov 28 through Apr from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The Shops at South Seas. Parking is across the street. The Sanibel Market has been open for several weeks (Oct through May), on Sundays at City Hall (also 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.). More info on all the markets at BuyLocalLee.com.

Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop – at Saint Michael’s & All Angels Episcopal Church will again begin accepting donations next Friday, Nov 29. Please drop them off at the loading dock. The shop itself reopens Tuesday, Dec 3 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Sanibel Tree Lighting Celebration – a continuation of the City 50^th Anniversary Celebration will be Saturday, Nov 30 at 5 p.m. at Sanibel Community Park next to The Community House with sing-along led by the BIG ARTS Community Chorus. Once the tree is lit, the event will continue inside The Community House until 8 p.m. with more music, food, ice cream, holiday activity tables, and photo ops.

Captiva Tree Lighting Celebration – a tradition since 1995 at Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa, Friday, Nov 29 from 5 to 9 p.m.  More details & tickets at https://tween-waters.com/event/annual-tree-lighting

Wildlife Dr – at J.N. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge reopens tomorrow, Saturday, Nov 23, following hurricane restoration. It will be open 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. every day except Fridays. It also has been reported that the white pelicans are back! Tarpon Bay Explorers will begin offering their narrated tours too.

YOLO Water Sports – on Captiva reopened this week, on Wed. https://YoLoWaterSports.com

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate Scoop

Yesterday at the monthly membership meeting of the islands Association of Realtors, I enjoyed introducing one of Florida Realtors most in-demand instructors, my friend from Tallahassee, Patti Ketchum.

As the incoming Chair for the National Association’s Professional Development Committee, her 30-minute presentation provided up-to-date advice on the latest buyer broker agreements. Those are needed whenever a Realtor begins providing service to a prospective buyer. The presentation was videoed and posted for members to revisit.

During the Caravan Meeting that followed, many new listings and price reductions were announced, but no new sales. After the meeting, nine new home listings, including ours at 9436 Yucca Ct, and two condos were open for easy viewing. The next Caravan is Thursday, Dec 5.

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

Many of the listings coming back on the market continue to be properties that were taken off for the summer or for work to be completed. That likely will continue, particularly as condo complexes reopen.

On the commercial side, the gas/service station at 1067 Bailey Rd (facing Periwinkle) was reduced from $2.85M to $2.5M.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	87	988,384	145	132	2,076,659	101	31	1,020,929	235
Under contract	9	1,086,777	92	5	1,281,600	86	2	2,095,000	301
Sold to 11/22/24	68	811,588	126	159	1,480,345	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	1,163,359	149	19	6,786,631	245	1	12M	449
Under contract	0	N/A	N/A	2	6.499,500	220	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 11/22/24	13	1,728,846	185	6	4,453,750	150	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 15-22:

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #1412 1/1 $475K, Blind Pass #F206 2/2.5 $719K, Lighthouse Point #233 3/2 $849K, Heron at The Sanctuary #I-3A 3/2.5 $1.45M.

1 back-on-market: Sanibel Moorings #822 2/2 $779K.

3 price changes: Coquina Beach #4B 2/2 now $599K, Sanctuary Golf Village I #6-PH6 2/2.5 now $1.068M, Tamarind #B201 2/2 now $1.895M.

2 new sales: Sanibel Moorings #1342 2/2 listed at $849K, Heron at The Sanctuary #I-3B 3/2.5 listed at $1.45M.

1 closed sale: Heron at The Sanctuary #I-1B 3/3.5 $922.5K.

HOMES

9 new listings: 766 Donax St 2/2 (duplex) $645K, 495 East Lake Rd 3/2 $789.5K, 5297 Punta Caloosa Rd 3/2 $850K, 4560 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 $949K, 9228 Belding Dr 2/2.5 $975K, 560 Boulder Dr 3/2 $1.049M, 1311 Par View Dr 3/3 $1.425M, 203 Daniel Dr 3/3 $1.65M, 4709 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 $4.2M.

8 back-on-market: 812 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $699K, 209 Robinwood Cir 3/2 $699K, 2105 Sunset Cir 3/2 $749K, 697 Spartina Ct 3/2.5 $1.15M, 1310 Par View Dr 3/3 $1.549M, 5810 Pine Tree Dr 4/3 $2.3M, 411 Bella Vista Way 4/4 $3.595M, 3767 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $8.95M.

6 price changes: 421 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $1.045M, 1073 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1.197M, 5300 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 now $1.375M, 1044 Whisperwood Way 4/4.5 now $2.449M, 1870 Woodring Rd 3/3.5 now $2.498M, 519 Kinzie Island Ct 5/3.5 now $2.595M.

3 new sales: 9475 Beverly Ln 3/2 listed at $949K. 819 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 listed at $1.595M, 5387 Shearwater Dr 4/4.5 listed at $1.875M.

6 closed sales: 1215 Periwinkle Way 1/1.5 $239K, 3180 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 $1.035M, 3205 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 $1.125M, 628 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 $1.5M, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5.5 $2.15M, 4355 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5.5 $8M.

LOTS

1 new listings: 1755 Jewel Box Dr $1.35M.

1 back-on-market: 5633 Baltusrol Ct $449K.

1 price change: 4501 Waters Edge Ln now $2.75M.

1 new sale: 6492 San-Cap Rd listed at $890K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: 1667 Lands End Village 2/2 $1.449M.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 1071 South Seas Plantation Rd 3/3.5 $4.6M.

1 back-on-market: 1127 Longifolia Ct 4/4 $8.5M.

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.

Best wishes for a wonderful Thanksgiving,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan