Comments about the brilliant Caribbean-style waters surrounding the islands probably are done for another year as right-on-schedule, the rainy season began over the weekend and continued right through the week, until today. Gotta love a Friday with blue skies and sunshine! (Photo below by JMA Photography)

Earlier in the week, with sometimes-heavy showers off-and-on, both day and night, the salt water that covered the islands last year surely washed away. Vegetation and grasses are loving it, with more bright green growth already obvious.

On the Causeway islands, I heard a few grumblings about sand already being washed away during these showers. That is not good news, but when the sun is out, there are always vehicles parked there, with beachgoers and fishermen enjoying it.

More Re-Opening News

There also have been a few grumblings this week about business being slow everywhere. It has always been quiet on the island in May with schools here just finishing up, snowbirds gone, and summer vacationers not yet arriving. Before moving here, we always thought May was a great month to come for a visit for those very reasons.

Have the hurricanes over the last few years affected visitors returning? You bet, but that will improve as more accommodations become available and more businesses reopen.

The Bubble Room posted yesterday that they are reopening soon. Are just awaiting final permits and expect to reopen as soon as they are received. Until then, Boop’s by The Bubble Room is open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and The Bubble Room Emporium also is open.

The Sanibel Sprout – Reopened their storefront on Wed at The Islander Center, 2407 Periwinkle Way. During rebuilding after Hurricane Ian, they were flooded again with the fall storms so had been operating out of a food truck while the juice/coffee bar and bakery were again rebuilt. With their soft opening this week, they are open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check um out for some healthy options.

Island Real Estate Scoop

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors did not meet this week as the leadership team was in DC for the annual National Association of Realtors Legislative Meetings.

It was great news yesterday to hear that friend Christine Hansen, Florida Realtors 2018 President, was voted in as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2026 President-Elect, positioning her to be NAR President in 2027.

I first met Christine decades ago at Florida Realtors committee meetings. She has come to the Gulf Coast many times in support of our District events and it has been a joy watching her climb the leadership ladder. She is Broker/Owner of Century 21 Hansen Realty in Fort Lauderdale, a company started by her mother in 1977.

Having another Floridian at the helm of the largest national trade organization will be a plus for us!

Back on Sanibel/Captiva, the island off-season Caravan schedule returns next week with Thurs June 12 scheduled as an Open Caravan Meeting at 9 a.m.

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.

There were seven new residential sales posted in MLS this week on Sanibel, a condo and five homes, plus a Captiva condo.

For those wondering why inventory has declined without more sales, it is that time of the year when sellers sometimes take their listings off the market for the summer. Many six-month listings expire at the end of May or June, so there likely will be more reductions.

I rarely recommend giving a listing a rest if an owner wants to sell as you never know when the right buyer might come along. Those that prefer waiting, should list early so photography and initial marketing are done before the first snowbirds arrive – right after school starts.

It also is worth noting that families looking to move here, often do their looking in the summer, another reason to keep a home listed. Those folks want to be settled in before the local school year begins. This year, that is August 4, 2025.

The June/July issue of the island “Real Estate Guide’ came out today. Our full-page ad is below:

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	161	1,001,025	152	241	1,635,051	138	44	1,275,304	287
Under contract	10	744,950	94	23	1,603,719	137	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 6/6/25	53	802,433	120	74	1,388,858	112	4	1,095,000	79
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:	47	1,271,370	198	42	6,280,785	176	3	9,916,666	301
Under contract	2	502,500	203	2	2,487,000	159	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 6/6/25	5	1,519,000	315	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 May 30 – Jun 6

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Sunset South #8A 2/2 $729K, Sanddollar #B302 3/2 $1.195M, Sandpiper West #1 3/3 $1.795M.

7 price changes: Blind Pass #F104 2/2 now $449K, Blind Pass #F111 2/2 now $549K, Cottage Colony West #112 1/1 now $585K, Sanibel Moorings #822 2/2 now $599K, Sunset South #10A 2/2 now $599K, Lighthouse Point #124 3/2 now $850K, Lighthouse Point #215 3/2 now $895K.

1 new sale: Captains Walk #F7 2/1.5 listed at $329K.

3 closed sales: Blind Pass #B110 2/2 $472.5K, Island Beach Club #P2E 2/2 $850K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-3A 3/2.5 $1M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 5770 Pine Tree Dr 3/2.5 $1.2M.

1 back-on-market: 495 East Lake Rd 3/2 $639K.

15 price changes: 662 East Rocks Dr 3/2 now $625K, 2162 Egret Cir (1/2 duplex) 3/2 now $685K, 1846 Farm Tr 3/2 now $699K, 653 Oliva St 3/2 now $750K, 3009 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $762K, 1730 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $849K, 9298 Kincaid Ct 3/2 now $799K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $1.084M, 3702 Coquina Dr 4/3 now $1.175M, 2999 Twin Ponds Dr 4/3.5 now $1.2M, 3008 Turtle Gait Ln 3/2 now $1.475M, 526 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $1.495M, 742 Nerita St 3/2 now $1.7M, 6101 Starling Way 4/3.5 now $1.747M, 1656 Hibiscus Dr 4/3.5 now $2.635K.

5 new sales: 4049 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $350K, 9003 Mockingbird Dr 5/4 listed at $750K, 544 Sea Oats Dr 4/4 listed at $1.395M, 1004 Bayview Dr 5/4 listed at $4.095M, 4513 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 listed at $4.9M.

3 closed sales: 1978 Roseate Ln 3/2 $670K, 592 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $1.1M, 1441 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $1,445,250.

LOTS

1 new listing: 5603 Baltusrol Ct $650K.

No price changes new, or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

1 new listing: Captiva Beach Villas #E 5/4.5 $3.489M.

2 price changes: Beach Villas #2611 2/2 now $915K, Lands End Village #1656 3/3 now $1.995M.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5124 1/2 listed at $325K.

1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1645 2/2 $1.7M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11533 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $3.2M.

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 in or participated in these transactions.