Following another week of beautiful sunshiny weather, it was fun to hear that there could be a cool front in Florida by Halloween next week. But since it is the islands, a cool front means maybe into the 70’s (degrees F) during the days, 60’s at night.

Plenty of spooky fall events are advertised between now and the end of the month, beginning with the Annual Fall Festival at The Community House today 4 to 6 p.m.

Continuing to also keep eyes on the tropical activity in the Caribbean, the count-down is on to the end of hurricane season (November 30). Maybe the cool down that is forecast will be a deterrent to that storm.

The end of sea turtle nesting season also is wrapping up (end of October). 2025 hatchling counts are up, after a 10-year low last year.

Seen on West Gulf Drive

Now that the warm no-rain days have dried up most of the roadway swales, island birds have been congregating in the few that must have something appealing in them. Midweek, there were huge numbers, many species (egrets, roseate spoonbills, heron, & more) in the water remaining along the roadway at Sand Pointe and across the street in Seagull Estates.

Yesterday afternoon when I traveled by to see them again, they were gone. Gotta love Sanibel, where nature, wildlife, and humans continue to co-exist.

Seen on Periwinkle Way

It was great to see more action on Periwinkle Way this week. Many have wondered when work will begin at the former Dairy Queen. The good news there is that the City approved their permit this week so activity is underway. The selling agent advises that though this will not be another DQ, it will be an affordable lunch/burger spot. Hopefully, to reopen in the spring.

Across the street and up the road a-bit, plenty of rebuilding/restoration has been going on at The Anchor Inn. This week, their new sign went up and their landscaping cleaned up with replanting underway. It is so good to see improvement on Sanibel’s main corridor.

October Scoop

Many island organization annual meetings, program schedules, and fundraisers are scheduled and being advertised. Tickets for SCCF’s annual benefit, Wines in the Wild, were sold out the same morning they became available so be sure to keep an eye out for events that interest you.

As the islands continue to bounce back, changes in rules and fees with homeowners and condo associations are important in this real estate business. Some of them expect big fee reductions in 2026. Some are still dealing with restorations, some with contractor lawsuits and insurance delays; others with small business loans; some with City permits and incomplete amenities that affect re-openings.

Thankfully, our local Association of Realtors is top-notch when it comes to cooperation and communication. The SanibelSusan Team chats often with colleagues looking for ways to get listings sold. I got a call from another Realtor just this week that was told to call me for an honest opinion on what the asking price needs to be to get one of her listings sold fast. The details I learned about that Association are shocking, both in fees and possible changes.

The common theme is that few listings are getting showings. Serious buyers are hard to find. Rentals are off, as are future bookings, even though many accommodations are offering free or discounted nights and other special promotions.

Many colleagues also think that owners depending on rental income, with none for three years, could be desperate to sell this winter. Stand by, that may mean more serious price reductions in the days ahead – and more listings, but with a storm-free year and increased visitor traffic, the market will eventually take a turn.

In the meantime, there are plenty of offerings for savvy purchasers. There are properties that are better than when they were new. Some are new. Some are still awaiting completion and/or furnishings. Others are remediated, but in post-Ian condition. A few are like they were three years ago. It really is a great time to buy, Never in my 33+years here has there been such a variety of choices and this will change as the market stabilizes.

Now, let’s find ways to get more visitors here again.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

The local Association of Realtors had their annual meeting yesterday. A Caravan Meeting plus Halloween Costume Contest followed, then open houses at two Sanibel homes. The next Caravan Meeting is November 6, when Richard Johnson from Bailey’s General Store will be guest speaker.

Since last Friday, six new sales have been posted in the SanCap MLS, a Sanibel condo and five Sanibel homes. During the same time, there were 11 new listings and 19 price changes.

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:	123	981,850	203	144	1,666,280	150	40	1,373,212	282
Under contract	13	823,992	173	21	1,027,364	162	1	5,999,000	491
Sold to 10/24/25	84	758,856	148	127	1,364,410	138	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:	46	1,140,619	253	24	6,670,541	289	2	12,000,000	523
Under contract	2	492,000	158	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 10/24/25	12	891,166	255	8	1,578,375	136	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 Oct 17-24

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #121 2/2 $849K, Sanddollar #B303 3/2 $1.545M.

6 price changes: Spanish Cay #A3 1/1 now $385K, Blind Pass #G102 2/2 now $659K, Sanibel Arms West #M7 2/2 now $699K (SanibelSusan listing), Ibis at The Sanctuary #B302 2/2 now $725K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A302 2/2 now $739K, Shorewood #A4 5/4 now $3.75M.

1 new sale: Sundial #I101 1/1 listed at $459.9K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1444 Sandpiper Cir (1/2 duplex) 2/2 $529K, 1769 Bowmans Beach Rd 2/2 $819K, 4731 Ruelle 3/2 $1.149M, 1517 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 $2.15M, 1139 Seagrape Ln 3/2 $2.295M, 915 Pecten Ct 6/5 $2.395M.

1 back-on-market: 1610 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 $799K.

11 price changes: 4560 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 now $649K, 2441 Shop Rd 4/3.5 now $833.7K, 9247 Dimmick Dr 3/2 now $850K, 9436 Yucca Ct 3/2 now $999K (SanibelSusan listing), 1300 Par View Dr 4/2 now $999K, 220 Palm Lake Dr 3/3 now $999K, 720 Durion Ct 4/3 now $1.149M, 203 Daniel Dr 3/3 now $1.445M, 1731 Venus Dr 3/3 now $1.895M, 1674 Sabal Palm Dr 3/4 now $1.999M, 1490 Angel Dr 4/3 now $3.595M.

5 new sales: 5309 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 listed at $799K. 984 Black Skimmer Way 3/2 listed at $838K, 9439 Cotton Ct 4/4.5 listed at $1.049M, 1321 Eagle Run Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.75M. 865 Birdie View Pt 4/4.5 listed at $1.799M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

1 new listing: 4717 Rue Belle Mer $3.695M.

1 price change: 1321 Seaspray Ln now $859K.

No new or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3117 1/1 $299K.

1 price change: Tennis Villas #3111 1/1 now $337K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 15301 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 $4.398M.

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.

Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan