The weeks are flying by and the weather continues to be wonderful on sunny Sanibel. Stil no needed rain, but great conditions for those enjoying vacations, shelling, boating, and more.

Before the rainy season begins, it is always special to see the gulf water clear and bright azure blue, so much like the Caribbean. SCCF (Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation) reports that for the past 43 days flows into Lake Okeechobee and impact to the Caloosahatchee River have been optimum. The latest pic from their website is below.

Wildlife News

On the wildlife front, it was great to hear this week that many are seeing their first marsh rabbits since the 2022 storm. I also keep looking, but none yet.

The SCCF shorebird team is monitoring Sanibel’s first two snowy plover nests of the year. One is an adult that was banded in 2019 and has nested here every year since. The other nest belongs to an unbanded pair. Last year was the first in the snowy plover program history that no chicks were fledged here. Volunteers check nests daily. Shorebird nesting season begins in February and can continue through August.

It also now is the beginning of sea turtle nesting season. Each spring, warmer waters in the Gulf trigger these turtles to start their migration from foraging grounds to breeding nesting and habitats. From now through October, SCCF’s turtle team of staff and volunteers monitors the beaches documenting nests. They, in fact, announced that the first loggerhead nest of 2025 was documented, staked off this morning, and will be monitored daily. To protect sea turtles, you are reminded to:

• Fill in holes and flatten sandcastles
• Turn off/shield all lights visible from shore after 9 p.m. (and don’t use flashlights)
• Remove beach furniture, equipment, and trash that could pose turtle hazards
• Keep your distance from marked nests and do not disturb nesting turtles.

Report problems to SCCF Turtle Hot Line at 978-728-3663 (978 SAVE ONE).

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

 

At the monthly Association of Realtors membership meeting yesterday, guest speaker Dr. Brad O’Connor, Florida Realtors Chief Economist, updated attendees on business state-wide. Teammate Dave attended while I listened remotely.

Collecting MLS information from all the Realtor Associations in Florida, Brad provided statistics both for the county and for the islands of Sanibel/Captiva in particular. In general terms, he said the market in Florida is not unlike much of the country with the economy, new presidency, interest and insurance rates resulting in fewer sales. That trend started declining after the pandemic which was when many were rushing to buy in Florida.

He said that Florida’s housing demand was weaker in 2024 for a variety of reasons, not just hurricanes:

• Mortgage rates still elevated
• Property insurance rates still elevated
• Domestic in-migration slowed
• International buyer demand still tepid
• Job growth slowed
• Condo issues (insurability & reserve requirements).

Looking at the number of closed sales on Sanibel and Captiva, 2024 had 29% fewer sales than 2023, or back to the same range as in 2009. Comparing the total number of sales in the first quarter of 2025 to first quarter last year, there have been 17% fewer sales this year.

When looking at the dollar volume of these closed Sanibel/Captiva sales, post pandemic volume totaled $1.191B in 2021, which was the highest recorded. By 2023, total sales were down to $573M, then $468M last year (which was an18% drop from the previous year).

Looking at sales volume for first quarter of 2025 compared to last year, dollars are down by 27%. He agreed that this will likely continue to be a tough year for sales, but he expects the market will eventually improve.

In speaking of Florida condos, he noted that those that have good reserves and have continually evaluated their buildings and made necessary repairs are seeing good sales. He sees the island condo market rebounding as restoration and compliance with the new requirements continues.

Following the Caravan meeting, eight East-End properties were open for easy viewing, including five condos and three homes.

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.

On the islands, this week, there were eight new sales, three Sanibel condos and five Sanibel homes, but there still are a whopping 537 Sanibel residential properties for sale, 99 on Captiva.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	189	999,989	126	305	1,797,572	120	43	966,730	276
Under contract	16	909,675	151	23	1,230,652	133	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 4/25/25	34	777,675	110	49	1,492,729	83	3	1,350,000	66
Sold 2024	75	818,493	117	165	1,472,757	114	15	1,403,533	192
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:	57	1,205,463	167	39	6,488,025	157	3	9,916,666	259
Under contract	3	1,794,666	370	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 4/25/25	1	400,000	264	1	910,000	86	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2024	13	1,728,846	185	8	4,887,187	182	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 Apr 18-25

Sanibel

CONDO

7 new listings: Spanish Cay #A5 2/2 $489K, Coquina Beach #3F 2/2 $749K, Oceans Reach #1C4 2/2 $999K, Pointe Santo #E43 2/2 $1.2M, Gulfside Place #105 2/2 $1.495M, Kinzie Island #A 4/4.5 $3.995M, Sedgemoor #102 3/3.5 $4.75M.

7 price changes: Mariner Pointe #1023 2/2 now $475K, Blind Pass #D105 2/2 now $499,999. By the Sea #B101 3/2 now $699K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A302 2/2 now $775K, Kings Crown #308 2/2 now $799K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-3A 3/2.5 now $1M, Tigua Cay #489 3/3.5 now $1.999M.

3 new sales: Sundial #I207 1/1 listed at $445K, Sundial #C406 1/1 listed at $599K, Sanibel Moorings #1112 2/2 listed at $860K.

2 closed sales: Sundial #C207 1/1 $515K, Sundial #O205 2/2 $1.15M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 446 Lake Murex Cir 2/2 $699K, 490 Marian Rd 2/2 $799K, 330 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.535M, 812 Angel Wing Dr 3/3.5 $2.595M.

15 price changes: 4452 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 now $555K, 220 Hurricane Ln 2/2 now $650K, 1978 Roseate Ln 3/2 now $699K, 551 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 now $699,555; 1846 Farm Tr 3/2 now $725K, 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 now $825K, 9067 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $879K, 1730 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $895K, 1001 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 now $988K, 1139 Buttonwood Ln 2/2 now $1.029M, 459 Lagoon Dr 2/2.5 now $1.099M, 3025 Turtle Gait Ln 3/2 now $1.175M, 1660 Bunting Ln 4/3.5 now $1.3M, 926 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 now $1.375M, 1680 Hibiscus Dr 3/3.5 now $2.15M.

5 new sales: 690 Purdy Dr 3/2 listed at $499K, 1731 Serenity Ln 4/3 listed at $750K, 9490 Peaceful Dr 3/3 listed at $799K, 592 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 listed at $1.149M, 1062 S Yachtsman Dr 3/3 listed at $1.299M.

2 closed sales: 1563 Sand Castle Rd 4/4.5 $1.1M, 335 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.25M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 224 Daniel Dr now $599K.

No new or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Bayside Villas #4220 1/2 now $605.9K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

4 price changes: 27 Urchin Ct 2/2.5 now $1.175M, 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 now $4.075M, 15891 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 now $5.9M, 16979 Captiva Dr 7/7.5 now $6.5M.

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.

Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan