Here it is another Friday again with mostly sunshine this week. Dodged raindrops yesterday afternoon and this morning.

There have been several exciting reports of Junonia findings on the beach, while the hidden painted shell events over the holiday weekend also were successful.

Otherwise, it has been quiet here again this week. With summer wrapping up and school years started, September typically is the slowest month of the year on-island. Many locals and visitors are looking forward to the months ahead, often keeping eyes on forecasts and storms in the Atlantic. Fingers crossed that none of those find their way to SW Florida this year. So far, so good.

September Scoop

Several island businesses have announced they will be briefly closed this month. It is a positive sign that “season” is right around the corner when facilities schedule their annual deep cleans, repairs, and maintenance, with their employees often getting breaks too.

Lighthouse Café of Sanibel – has been closed this week but reopens Monday morning.

Over Easy Café – will be closed from September 8-18.

Tarpon Bay Explorers – will be closed September 7-30, with plans to reopen October 1. The closure includes their recreational areas as well as their launch ramp.

The City also announced yesterday that vegetation trimming on Periwinkle Way will begin Monday and is scheduled to complete (weather permitting) by Wednesday, September 17. It will be on both sides of the road, including the shared use path with work to be performed between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Travel with caution.

Captiva Beach Renourishment Project

The Captiva Erosion Protection District advises that Turner Beach Park will be closed to the public, beginning today September 5, for staging equipment and material for the upcoming Captiva Beach Renourishment Project. Soon to begin, construction is scheduled to run continuously 24 hours a day over an estimated 56-day period.

October When Pre-Season Begins

Sanibel Farmers’ Market will reopen for its 18^th season on Sunday, October 5 at 9 a.m. with a celebration of cultures from around the world. Vendors and shoppers are invited to show off their heritage with flags, shirts, and attire. Enjoy global flavors, handmade crafts, their colorful flag ceremony, fresh produce, and more. Located on the City Hall back parking lot, Sanibel Farmers Market is every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through May.

Other local market days/times are posted on BuyLocalLee.com. Those are at Babcock Ranch, Boca Grande, Captiva Island, Lakes Park, Coconut Point, Bonita Springs, and Gateway.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

At the Sanibel-Captiva Caravan Meeting yesterday, guest speaker. Matt Simmons, appraiser with Maxwell, Hendry, & Simmons discussed the tax appeal process and contesting a TRIM notice property valuation.

In Lee County TRIM notices were mailed on August 18, making September 12 the deadline for filing a tax appeal. That process is quasi-judicial – meaning hiring an attorney is not required. The process involves the following steps:

·        Appeal is filed

·        Informal Status – engage in negotiation or wait for hearing date to be issued

·        Exchange of Evidence

·        Pre-Hearing Negotiations

·        Hearing before a Magistrate

·        Magistrate issues Ruling

·        Value Adjustment Board Meets & Issues Final Rulings

·        File a Challenge in Circuit Court.

Following the meeting, three listings were open for easy viewing, a Sundial condo and two homes in The Dunes. The next meeting in two weeks will be the monthly membership meeting followed by Caravan.

September is usually when inventory is low with more listings gradually coming on the market as winter nears. We advise our sellers that if they want to sell, they should keep their property listed. This business is always full of surprises, including when buyers appear. Always be prepared for them!

With two-thirds of the year over already, below is a summary of closed Sanibel sales year-to-date by primary location, as reported in the Sanibel-Captiva MLS.

SANIBEL          Condos                         Homes                         Lots

                        #          Avg Price $       #          Avg Price $       #          Avg Price $

Gulf                  48        888,937            6          3,765,191         2          1,637,500

Bayfront            3          693,333            3          3,383,333         0          N/A

Bayou               0          N/A                  5          2,256,600         0          N/A

Golf Course       0          N/A                  10        1,557,000         0          N/A

Canal               0          N/A                  16        1,489,937         0          N/A

Lake                 0          N/A                  6          1,151,666         0          N/A

Near Beach       18        404,583            55        1,093,238         4          548,750

Inland               2          1,175,000         14        822,846            0          N/A

River                0          N/A                  2          647,500             0          N/A

TOTAL             71        765,936            117       1,395,607         6          911,666

Since last Friday, five new sales have been posted in the SanCap MLS: three Sanibel condos, a Sanibel home, and a Captiva home.

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.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	126	953,707	191	141	1,498,026	174	40	1,301,887	267
Under contract	13	799,769	230	11	1,066,000	169	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 9/5/25	71	765,936	132	117	1,395,607	131	6	911,666	199
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:	45	1,147,966	228	26	6,263,038	262	2	12,000,000	474
Under contract	1	545,000	71	3	1,331,000	145	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 9/5/25	11	926,727	270	5	1,835,400	115	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 Aug 29-Sep 5

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Tennisplace #B24 2/1 $489,999; Signal Inn #14 2/2 $925K, Kings Crown #201 2/2 $1.349M.

4 price changes: Sanibel Moorings #212 1/1 now $425K, Sanibel Moorings #232 2/2 now $525K, Sanibel Moorings #632 2/2 now $579K, Loggerhead Cay #441 2/2 now $849K.

3 new sales: Lake Palms #5 2/2.5 listed at $499,999; Sanibel Shores #A2 2/2 listed at $590K, Sanibel Moorings #822 2/2 listed at $599K.

1 closed sale: Shell Island Beach Club #5D 2/2 $835K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 1611 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/3.5 listed at $749K.

1 back-on-market: 1390 Middle Gulf Dr #E (1/2 duplex) 3/3 $729K.

2 price changes: 1550 Centre St 3/2 now $849K, 9439 Cotton Ct 4/4.5 now $999K.

1 new sale: 526 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 listed at $1.495M.

4 closed sales: 1684 Bunting Ln 2/2 $650K, 3314 St Kilda Rd 3/2 $800K, 5300 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 $950K, 4709 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 $3.48M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 5398 Osprey Ct now $319K.

No new or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 27 Urchin Ct 2/2.5 listed at $899K.

No 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.