In the blink of an eye, or so it seems, it is already another Friday. There has been a noticeable reduction in island traffic this week, likely indicating snowbirds are heading home, spring breaks are wrapping up, and weather improving up north (though that could be debatable in some areas).

On Sanibel, the weather remains great with plenty of sunshine. There were a few sprinkles on Tuesday. More sunny days in the high-70’s/low-80’s (degrees F) are expected right through the weekend and next week.

Today 4/11/25 at the end of Dixie Beach Blvd

Sanibel Keeps 25% Flood Insurance Discount

Posted this week: “The City of Sanibel completed its 2024 Community Rating System audit and maintained a Class 5 rating, which results in a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums. “The City maintaining a Class 5 rating is indicative of all the floodplain management efforts that the City has been focused on since the Hurricanes.” said Craig Molé, Building Official and Director of Building Department, “In order to get the Island back up and running to its pre-storm condition, there are many aspects that staff and the community must balance. Resiliency is key with mitigation in mind.”

“Since 1979, the City of Sanibel has participated in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). This program, developed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), requires participating communities to have floodplain management practices adopted into the governing ordinances. Ordinances must include goals to reduce and avoid flood damage to existing and future development, promote the natural functions of a floodplain and support insurance aspects through permitting regulations. Through the Community Rating System, communities can be rewarded with reduced insurance premiums for going above and beyond minimum requirements….”

Refuge to Remove Dead Vegetation

Posted yesterday on CaptivaSanibel.com: “With the support of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and its donors, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is preparing to remove and mulch most of what is left of the trees flooded by Hurricane Ian along Legion Curve on Sanibel-Captiva Road and at the Botanical Site on Sanibel. The work will require a special machine rental and dry conditions, so it is coordinating it to happen in the April-May time frame. “In order to do this work in a sensitive manner, it takes specialized equipment that many contractors don’t have. We have come up with a better plan that we think will satisfy our habitat management goals and eliminate unsightly dead vegetation along Sanibel-Captiva Road,” Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea said.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

Tuesday, the local Association of Realtors held a Brokers’ Roundtable, the first in several years. Agenda items included new MLS features in the works, an update on the National Association of Realtors clear cooperation policy, and local topics covering build-back progress, member involvement, and condo law updates. The island Association supports the grassroots efforts underway to speed up Sanibel restoration and improve island economy. Leaders are worried about how long recovery is taking and island business this summer. Brokers discouragingly agreed that the real estate market has a long way to go to recover, but it will. Many said their Open Houses are yielding few, if any, viewings. We also heard that vacation rental reservations dropped off drastically on April 1.

There was a good turn-out at the Association of Realtors East End Caravan meeting yesterday. Unfortunately, no new sales were announced, but again more new listings and price reductions. Following the meeting four Sanibel condos and three homes were open for easy viewing including our listing at Mariner Pointe #713.

Next Thursday is a West-End Caravan, followed the week after by the monthly membership meeting and another East-End Caravan on April 24. Guest speaker at the membership meeting will be Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor (in person).

Real Estate Scoop

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

The first 2025 Captiva condo closing was reported this week, while there have been 28 Sanibel condos closed year-to-date. Condo buyers certainly have plenty of choices with 249 island condos currently available. Some at prices not heard of in decades.

Captiva posted its first and only home sale closing some weeks ago, while Sanibel has had 46 year-to-date home sale closings. There are even more choices for those looking to purchase an island home, 349 island homes are available.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Apr 4-11

Sanibel

CONDO

1 new listings: Sandalfoot #2C2 2/2 $747,555; Tigua Cay #489 3/3/5 $2,249,990.

7 price changes: Captains Walk #F7 2/1.5 now $329K, Captains Walk #F3 2/2 now $399K, Mariner Pointe #312 2/2 now $399K (SanibelSusan listing), Sanibel Moorings #212 1/1 now $515K, Lake Palms #5 2/2.5 now $549K, Blind Pass #D105 2/2 now $587K, Sanibel Moorings #232 2/2 now $715K.

Mariner Pointe #312

1 new sale: Oceans Reach #3X3 1/1 listed at $670K.

1 closed sale: Colonnades #51 1/1 $212K.

HOMES

8 new listings: 1866 Ardsley Way 3/2 $650K, 2162 Egret Cir 3/2 (1/2 duplex) $699K, 984 Black Skimmer Way 3/2 $838K, 6093 Henderson Rd 3/2 $948K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $1.194M, 483 Sea Walk Ct 4/3 $2.094M, 4627 Rue Belle Mer 4/4.5 $4.4M, 6351 San-Cap Rd 4/4 $4,999,999.

24 price changes: 586 Boulder Dr 3/2 now $499,999; 4452 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 now $599K, 495 East Lake Rd 3/2 now $639K, 3009 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $777K, 4560 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 now $699K, 1674 Bunting Ln 3/2 now $789K, 9490 Peaceful Dr 3/3 now $799K, 4546 Buck Key Rd 4/2 now $889K. 838/840 Rabbit Rd (multi-family) 4/2 now $894K, 9247 Dimmick Dr 3/2 now $909K, 3314 Saint Kilda Rd 3/2 now $949K, 485 Peachtree Rd 3/3 now $975K, 220 Palm Lake Dr 3/3 now $1.109M, 752 Windlass Way 3/2 now $1.15M, 252 Daniel Dr 3/2 now $1.195M, 218 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 now $1.245M, 5855 San-Cap Rd 3/2 now $1.35M, 829 Pyrula Ave 3/3 now $1.55M, 1672 Hibiscus Dr 4/4.5 now $1.599M, 1441 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1.599M, 6440 Pine Ave 3/3.5.5 now $1.695M, 766 Sand Dollar Dr 4/4.5.5 now $2.999M, 4709 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 now $3.765M, 4513 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 now $4.9M.

1 new sale: 1311 Par View Dr 3/3 listed at $1.25M.

5 closed sales: 2105 Sunset Cir 3/2 $590K, 1550 Wilton Ln 3/2.5 $880K, 1048 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 $930K, 815 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.617M, 1044 Whisperwood Way 4/4.5 $1.87M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 4633 Rue Belle Mer $3.4M.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sunset Captiva #104 2/2 $1.399M.

2 price changes: Bayside Villas #5302 3/3 now $1.35M, Sunset Captiva #103 2//2 now $1.599M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Tennis Villas #3120 1/1 $400K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 16205 Captiva Dr 4/5 $5.5M, 16814 Captiva Dr 6/5.5.5 $17.5M.

3 price changes: 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 now $4.375M, 16979 Captiva Dr 7/7.5 now $5,694,700, 1072 South Seas Plantation Rd 3/3.5 now $6.2M.

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 in or participated in these transactions.

A favorite osprey nest at the park at the end of Dixie Beach Blvd. Sorry I wasn’t quick enough to get both birds in the nest, but there are at least two still there.

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan