It is the first Friday in Spring, yet island weather remains the same as last week – with mostly sunshine and warm days to the delight of local kiddos that were off for Spring Break. There was noticeable increased traffic on the shared use paths and spots often were filled at beach parking areas. More nice weather is expected over the weekend and through next week. Forecast says, by Wednesday, it may again hit 80 degrees F.

More condos and accommodations are reopening, which hopefully means additional visitors will be back enjoying the islands. The good news continues as every drive around the islands produces another glimpse of more progress.

Photo by Jim Anderson, JMA Photography

Island Tidbits

Shared Use Path Speed – The expanded use of E-bikes has resulted in more education on what is allowed on Sanibel’s Shared Use Paths. With 26+miles of paths, they can be busy, particularly “in season” with bikers, joggers, hikers, dog walkers, baby strollers, and more.

Mid-week I noticed new “speed limit” signs posted on the paths. The ones next to the roadway in front of Lighthouse Café and The Lazy Flamingo say “10 mph” which initially made me think I was speeding in my car. Regarding E-bikes on the paths, only Class 1 bikes are permitted and riders must be 16 or older. Pedestrians still have the right-of-way. All users need to be careful. Sanibel has a brochure with the rules at https://www.mysanibel.com/government/recreation2/bike-or-hike-on-the-shared-use-path

Whitney’s Bait & Tackle – Over the course of the last year, you may have seen that Whitney’s Bait & Tackle at 1554 Perwinkle Way has been raised up. This week, I noticed that they have covered the lower pilings with a buffer along the streetside that incorporates “fish”. It’s just cool. Bet you notice it too.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

Yesterday, at the islands Association of Realtors monthly Membership Meeting followed by West End Caravan, guest speaker was Dr Steve Davis, Chief Science Officer of The Everglades Foundation. His informative presentation advised that the foundation now is 30+years old and that “science doesn’t get to the goal line, it takes political engagement.”

Clean water affects the economy, particularly tourism, outdoor recreation, and real estate. The foundation works to protect America’s Everglades through science, advocacy, and education. The need for Everglades restoration has been recognized for over 50 years.

One of the slides was from a 1972 National Geographic magazine showing South Florida’s water crisis then.

Solving water quality issues certainly has it challenges, but it was positive to hear about how involved the Foundation is with schools and students. Also, that water is one of the only bipartisan issues where there is agreement nationally.

The Everglades Restoration Plan which was signed in 2000 is making strides. Dr Davis advised that the C43 storage reservoir which is 10 acres next to Lehigh Acres should be complete by the end of 2025 and will hold billions of gallons of water, leading to recovery of the Caloosahatchee Estuary.

Further south, the larger EAA (Everglades Agricultural Area) reservoir is slated to be done in late 2034 and it also will have a water treatment wetland area next to it. With ten Everglades Restoration projects completed over 3 million acres, it also was interesting to hear that the Picayune Strand (which is south of Naples) is restored and already bringing back natural habitat, including eagles and panther. The Kissimmee River that goes into Lake O also has been restored. An interesting statistic is that 70-80% of the benefits in these projects are in the first 3-5 years.

Dr. Davis’ presentation was a good entre to a unique opportunity the Association of Realtors is offering to its members on April 30 when The Everglades Foundation, South Florida Water Management District, and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will provide more info as attendees participate in a day-long trip to both the C43 and EAA reservoirs. A busload will be going.

After the guest speaker, during the Caravan agenda, just two island sales were announced, but there were plenty more new listings and price reductions. After the meeting, just a condo in The Sanctuary Golf Villages was open for easy viewing.

Below, with data from the MLS are summary tables of the island residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.

What Sellers Don’t Wanna Hear

I have been told more than once lately that the trouble with me is that I tell people what they don’t want to hear. Educated buyers and sellers make smarter decisions and, of course, it is easier to tell people what they want to hear, but here is some info that makes today’s market even more challenging – and probably what sellers don’t wanna hear.

I confirmed this week that SanibelSusan Realty is not the only one receiving low-ball offers from prospective buyers who have never visited a property. These offers, on the “as is” contract with inspection/cancellation period, specify that the offer is not negotiable – either accept it or reject it.

A little sleuthing with other brokers indicates that these purported buyers are making offers on several properties simultaneously, then if they are lucky enough to get one or more accepted, they just cancel any contracts for unwanted property during the cancellation periods. I heard one offer was as low as 63% of asking price. I also have yet to find one that has been accepted and made it to closing.

The island Association of Realtors announced today that they will host a Brokers Roundtable in early April. We have not had one of these since pre-pandemic so this is an opportunity for company leaders to share experiences and to discuss how the Realtor organization and each of us can help each other.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Mar 14-21

Sanibel

CONDOS

10 new listings: Cottage Colony West #132 1/1 $550K, Cottage Colony West #117 1/1 $575K, Sanibel Siesta #202 2/2 $719K, Sanibel Arms West #G7 2/2 $729K, Sanibel Inn #3511 2/2 $825K, Sundial #A308 2/2 $899K, Lighthouse Point #312 3/2 $919,999; Sanibel Siesta #223 2/2 $955K, La Playa #3B 3/2 $1.85M, Lantana #102 4/3.5 $2.5M.

16 price changes: Colonnades #51 1/1 now $245K, Captains Walk #D1 2/1 now $374K, Cottage Colony West #102 1/1 now $529K, Sundial #C406 1/1 now $599K, Loggerhead Cay #362 2/2 now $819K, Loggerhead Cay #583 2/2 now $845K, Loggerhead Cay #452 2/2 now $849K, Mariner Pointe #223 2/2,5 now $849.9K, Shell Island Beach Club #7B 2/2 now $925K (SanibelSusan Realty listing), Lighthouse Point #323 3/2 now $950K, Nutmeg Village #109 2/2 now $1.095M, Sundial #S301 3/2 now $1.099M, Sundial #K108 3/2 now $1.295M, St Croix #4 2/2 now $1.499M, Gulfside Place #125 2/2 now $1.695M, Seascape #102 3/3 now $2.7M.

Shell Island Beach Club

4 new sales: Sundial #C207 1/1 listed at $524,999; Lighthouse Point #211 2/2 listed at $625K, Oceans Reach #1A4 2/2 listed at $899K, Sundial #O205 2/2 listed at $1.195M.

3 closed sales: Sundial #F105 1/1 $475K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-1A 3/2.5 $900K, Oceans Reach #4D2 2/2 $1.075M.

HOMES

10 new listings: 5892 San-Cap Rd 3/3 $699K, 1105 Skiff Pl 4/3 $1.15M, 1300 Par View Dr 4/2 $1.179M, 1339 Par View Dr 3/2.5 $1.25M, 1970 Wild Lime Dr 4/3 $1.368M, 736 Windlass Way 3/2 $1.499M, 877 Limpet Dr 3/3.5 $2.95M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 4/4.5 $3M, 2400 Los Colony Rd 3/3 $3.195M, 1490 Angel Dr 4/3 $3.995M.

26 price changes: 220 Hurricane Ln 2/2 now $675K, 1651 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 now $689K, 1436 Jamaica Dr 2/2 now $699K, 575 Hideway Ct 3/2 now $749K, 3009 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $817K, 9226 Kincaid Ct 3/2 now $839K, 785 Rabbit Rd 3/2 now $890K, 9247 Dimmick Dr 3/2 now $929K, 1312 Par View Dr 3/2 now $979K, 1169 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $985K, 1610 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 now $998K, 1113 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1.049M, 2596 Roosevelt Pl 3/2 now $1.049M, 4221 Old Banyan Way 3/2 now $1.095M, 720 Elinor Way 3/2 now $1.149M, 3711 Agate Ct 3/2.5 now $1.275M, 5300 Umbrella Pool Dr 3/3 now $1.193M, 3025 Turtle Gait Ln 3/2 now $1.23M, 672 Durion Ct 3/2 now $1.295M, 2999 Twin Ponds Dr 4/3.5 now $1,329,400; 640 Periwinkle Way 3/2 now $1.375M, 1990 My Tern Ct 3/2 now $1.395M, 829 Pyrula Ave 3/3 now $1.6M, 6101 Starling Way 4/3.5 now $1.749M, 6440 Pine Ave 3/3.5.5 now $1.75M, 1004 Bayview Dr 5/4 now $4.345M.

2 new sales: 1563 Sand Castle Rd 4/4.5 listed at $1.1M, 335 East Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $1.379M.

2 closed sales: 5606 Baltusrol Ct 5/6 $2.9M, 6195 Henderson Rd 3/3.5 $3.3M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 470 Sawgrass Pl $875K.

1 price change: 5398 Osprey Ct now $349K.

1 new sale: 6015 Clam Bayou Ln listed at $1.15M.

No closed sales:

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

4 new listings: Tennis Villas #3222 1/1 $414.5K, Beach Villas #2611 2/2 $939K, Beach Cottages #1411 3/3 $2.599M, Beach Homes #19 3/3 $5.65M.

1 price change: Bayside Villas #4220 1/2 now $649K.

2 new sales: Tennis Villas #3120 1/1 listed at $415K, Lands End Village #1645 2/1 listed at $1.79M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16543 Captiva Dr 3/3 $4.8M.

3 price changes: 15160 Captiva Dr 6/6.5 now $4.9M, 15153 Captiva Dr 3/3 now $5.65M, 16979 Captiva Dr 7/7.5 now $5.695M.

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 & if you are “out & about” on the island tomorrow, Sat 3/22, stop in & see teammate David at his Open House at 5309 Umbrella Pool Rd in Sanibel Bayous. He’ll be there from 10 a.m. til 1 p.m.