Another Friday is here and this one is the longest day of the year and the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. Here on sunny Sanibel, though June is recognized, we enjoy summer-like weather year-‘round.

As recovery continues with plenty of new construction plus more raising of homes, the islands are gearing up for the July 4^th festivities and summer visitors.

The Sanibel Marina this afternoon with the clouds rolling in.

The City (of Sanibel) also announced that vegetation trimming will continue this Sunday (June 22) from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Periwinkle Way from Causeway Blvd to Tarpon Bay Rd. Weather permitting, this will include both sides of the road including the shared use path.

Clean-up of the Gulf Dr roadway swales also continues with new sod going down in some areas where landscaping was disturbed.

Despite Unusual Session, Realtor Successes Shine Through

Posted this week on FloridaRealtors.org: “A look at how Florida Realtors helped shape legislation to benefit consumers and the state’s real estate industry during the 2025 Legislative Session.

“Late in the evening on June 16, the Florida Legislature declared Sine Die, officially ending the 2025 Legislative Session that began on March 4. Legislative leaders had extended session past its expected May 2 end date to work through budget differences that existed between both chambers. Numerous legislative victories were achieved during the extended 105-day lawmaking period that will benefit the profession, property owners and communities throughout Florida. Significant legislative victories include:

• Total elimination of Florida’s Business Rent Tax (BRT)
• $50 million for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program
• $310 million in new and unused funds to help Floridians harden their homes and condominiums
• $385 million for state and local affordable housing programs
• $1.5 billion for water quality and restoration projects
• Bringing additional transparency to transactions involving condominium units.
• Protecting the private property rights of commercial building and short-term rental owners dealing with squatters.
• Preserving and protecting the natural wonders of our state parks.
• Eliminating the negative consequences of lookback periods.
• Increasing the transparency of flood risk for long-term renters, as well as purchasers of condominiums, cooperatives and mobile home park lots.
• Helping landlords and tenants communicate through optional electronic notices.

These wins are in addition to numerous other laws passed by lawmakers that impact Realtors and their businesses. Bills passed head to the governor for final approval.

2025 Realtor Priority Wins

Elimination of Florida’s Business Rent Tax (BRT): HB 7031 includes a complete elimination of the BRT which represents an additional $900 million in tax relief for businesses throughout Florida. This elimination includes both the state sales tax rate, as well as the discretionary sales surtax that counties can levy on commercial leases. Effective: October 1, 2025.

More Money for the Hometown Heroes Housing Program: Senate Bill 2500 (the state budget), injects an additional $50 million into the Hometown Heroes Housing Program (HHHP), the state’s popular first-time homebuyer program for hard-working Floridians. Please note that certain occupation restrictions have been added to this funding. More information to come. Effective: July 1, 2025.

My Safe Florida Home Program Gets More Funding: Senate Bill 2500 includes $280 million in new funding for the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program. The My Safe Florida Condominium (MSFC) program had last year’s funding of $30 million reappropriated so previously approved grant applicants can receive their money. Both of these programs help Floridians protect their homes against storms and reduce their insurance premiums. More information on the availability of this funding will be available soon.

$385 Million for State and Local Affordable Housing Programs: Senate Bill 2500 allocates $385 million to the State and Local Government Housing Trust Funds. This includes $163.8 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) for downpayment and closing cost assistance programs, and $221.2 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan program (SAIL) which helps build affordable rental housing. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Over $1.5 Billion for the Everglades and Water Quality: The Florida Legislature continues to allocate significant funding for projects that improve Florida’s water. Senate Bill 2500 includes money for Everglades restoration ($546 million), Water Quality grants ($400 million) Flood/Sea level rise ($150 million) the C-51 Reservoir ($60 million), Biscayne Bay ($20 million), the Indian River Lagoon ($102 million), total maximum daily loads ($25 million), Resilient Florida Grant Program ($20 million), Land Acquisition and Restoration Trust Fund ($150 million), and Alternative Water Supply ($50 million). Effective: July 1, 2025.

Additional Transparency in Condominium Transactions: HB 913 is intended to ensure a smooth transition to safer buildings and increased financial health. One provision in the bill is a Realtor priority designed to improve street address transparency – condominium associations would be required to include approved BOD meeting minutes for the preceding 12 months on their website. This will help prospective purchasers learn of special assessments that have not yet been formally adopted. The bill also extends a buyer’s right to cancel the contract to seven days after receipt of the governing documents. This increased transparency will help reduce post-closing litigation. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Limiting Negative Consequences of Lookback Periods: SB 180 requires cities and counties to have a webpage dedicated to a hurricane and storm recovery permitting guide for residential and commercial property owners. This guide must include elevation quality requirements following substantial damage and substantial improvement in accordance with the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). The bill also prohibits local governments participating in the NFIP from adopting or enforcing lookback periods. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Preserve and Protect Florida’s State Parks: HB 209 updates Florida’s management of state lands by prioritizing conservation-based recreational use, restricting environmentally harmful construction in state parks, and permitting camping cabins only if they do not harm natural resources. Also establishes new timelines for public hearings. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Helping Vacation Rental Owners Remove Squatters: SB 606 would make it easier for public lodging establishment operators (hotels and vacation rental owners) to remove problem guests by clarifying when a stay is temporary, setting clear removal rules, and allowing police to arrest guests who refuse to leave. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Speeding Up the Removal of Squatters from Commercial Properties: SB 322 helps commercial property owners remove illegal squatters more easily by letting owners file complaints with the sheriff, allowing immediate evictions, increasing penalties for property damage, and preventing fake property listings. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Making it Easier for Landlords And Tenants to Communicate: HB 615 allows landlords and tenants to send notices electronically via email if both parties agree through an addendum to the rental agreement. This agreement may be revoked at any time by either party with written notice. Notices are considered delivered when sent unless they are returned as undeliverable. The bill requires the sender to maintain a copy of the electronically sent notice and evidence of its transmission. Effective: July 1, 2025.

Increasing Transparency of Flood Risk: SB 948 requires landlords to provide the existing seller flood disclosure to tenants at or before they sign a lease for one year or longer. Condominium developers, cooperative developers, and mobile home park owners will also be required to provide the disclosure to prospective purchasers. This disclosure will help renters and buyers make more informed decisions about a property and reduce the number of legal disputes that occur. Effective October 1, 2025….”

Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate Scoop

The local Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but a few new residential sales were posted in MLS: a condo and six homes on Sanibel, plus two Captiva condos.

Today, there was a baby shower for our CEO Bill Robinson and his wife Elizabeth. They are expecting their first, it’s a boy!

Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by an update about our listings, plus the details of the MLS action reported this week.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Jun 13-20

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Captains Walk #D1 2/1 $350K, Blind Pass #E109 2/2 $450K, Sayana #102 2/2 $949K, Sanibel Arms West #C6 2/2 $1.15M.

9 price changes: Sanibel Moorings #212 1/1 now $475K, Spanish Cay #B3 2/2 now $499K, Lake Palms #5 2/2.5 now $499,999; Cottage Colony West #110 1/1 now $502K, Sanibel Moorings #232 2/2 now $675K, Blind Pass #G102 2/2 now $695K, Sundial #H402 2/2 now $719.9K. Shell Island Beach Club #5D 2/2 now $899K, Sundial #N301 2/2 now $1.195M.

1 new sale: Blind Pass #D105 2/2 listed at $499,999.

1 closed sale: Nutmeg Village #211 2/2 $900K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 1672 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/1 $455K. 486 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $675K, 1043 Blue Heron Dr 2/3 $919K, 1564 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2.5 $1.35M.

4 price changes: 773 Cardium St 2/2 now $825K, 926 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 now $1.299M, 203 Daniel Dr 3/3 now $1.465M, 6101 Starling Way 4/3.5 now $1.745M.

6 new sales: 662 East Rocks Dr 3/2 listed at $625K, 9436 Kava Ct 2/2 listed at $694K, 980 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 listed at $799K, 1111 Schooner Pl 3/3 listed at $1.395M, 4166 Dingman Dr 4/4 listed at $1.797M, 461 Lake Murex Cir 4/3.5 listed at $2.225M.

6 closed sales: 1027 Bird Watch Way 3/2 $750K, 459 Lagoon Dr 2/2.5 $950K, 5855 San-Cap Rd 3/2 $1.26M, 544 Sea Oats Dr 4/4 $1.325M, 483 Sea Walk Ct 4/3 $1.865M, 4513 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 $4.15M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 554 Lake Murex Cir $850K, 4733 Rue Belle Mer $1.2M.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3126 1/1 $309K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Bayside Villas #5112 1/2 listed at $295K, Bayside Villas #5208 1/2 listed at $400K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 now $3.999M.

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