More Sunshine & Blue Skies in SW Florida

Locals were thankful for blue skies and sunshine again this week, particularly when nighttime temperatures dropped down into the 40’s/50’s (degrees F) early in the week. Turned my heat went on Tuesday morning and though there were reports of stunned iguanas off-island and further north, I didn’t hear of any here.

What I did see was folks wearing long pants, jackets, sweaters, and hoodies, while many on the bike paths often were in shorts and tank tops. Sometimes that distinguishes islanders from visitors/vacationers.

Daytime temps are now back into the high 70’s/low 80’s with 60’s at night. Forecasters predict the same for next week, with plenty of sunshine also expected then. Hopefully that continues into Thanksgiving week when many families will enjoy an island holiday.

More Re-Openings, Ribbon-Cuttings, & Restoration

• Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium – has relaunched their Great Hall of Shells. The Museum is now open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The Great Hall of Shells on the 2nd floor features exhibits on Southwest Florida Shells, World Record Shells, and the use of shells in human history and culture. Tomorrow, Saturday November 15, the Museum is presenting Shells, Science, and Community Day – a full day of fun, new exhibits, and activities for all ages. Admission is FREE. There will be gallery talks by Science Director and Curator Dr. José H. Leal, guided tours of the Museum’s vast research collection of shells rarely seen by the public*, Keeper Chats by Museum Aquarists, Snail Search and Biodiversity Walks around the Museum grounds*, story-time readings for children, craft activities, a scavenger hunt, and more. See complete schedule of programs at org/community-day
• On Island – Yesterday the clothing shop On Island had their ribbon-cutting at their new location in The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way. Check out their fun island gear at OnIslandSanibel.com.
• Sanibel Boat Ramp – The City of Sanibel has announced the partial reopening of the Sanibel Boat Ramp. The ongoing Dock Replacement Project there began in September. While half of the ramp is now accessible, users are urged to exercise caution due to continued ongoing construction.
• Sanibel Community House Holiday Bonanza Arts & Crafts Fair – is this weekend. With over 30 artists (all inside), it is a signal that the holidays have begun when these events return to The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way. Free parking & free admission both Saturday November 15 (noon to 5 p.m.) and Sunday November 16 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Sanibel Fire & Rescue District Station #172 – The new fire station on San-Cap Rd is complete with move-in day this week, 1,141 days after Hurricane Ian destroyed the former building. Big thanks to the dedicated first responders who continued to serve the community from a temporary trailer during the rebuild.
• Seashells of Sanibel – had their Grand Reopening with ribbon-cutting yesterday. They have 44 units restored and ready to welcome guests at 2840 West Gulf Dr.

RSW Expansion Back on Track

The 2-phase expansion at Southwest Florida International Airport is the largest public works project in Lee County history. Phase 1 which involves consolidating security checkpoints and adding retail space is back on track (according to the “News Press”) after design flaws caused delays and cost increases. Phase 2, a $1.1 billion project, will add a new 14-gate concourse with enough room to support a total of 33 gates in the future, It is expected to be done by December 2027. The project is about 30% complete.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate News

Teammate Dave and I met with more prospective sellers this week, chatted with others, and continued to commiserate with colleagues about the “slow” market. It is not fun to tell owners that the average Sanibel home sale price is down 9% since last year, 17% since Hurricane Ian. We know that will bounce back eventually and advise buyers to purchase now.

The local Association Realtors had a West-End Caravan Meeting yesterday. Following the meeting, two Sanibel homes were open for easy viewing. Next week is the monthly membership meeting followed by an East-End Caravan. Guest speaker is John Talmage, Director of the Lee County Economic Development Office.

Since last Friday, just eight new island sales have been posted in the SanCap MLS, on Sanibel: two condos, four homes, and a lot, and a Captiva condo. During the same time, there were 16 new listings and 17 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.

On the commercial side, 1149 Periwinkle Way #2 was listed this week for $1.1M. That was the location of John Naumann & Associates, then Berkshire Hathaway.

Also the former site of the original Cheeburger Cheeburger, the buildings at 2411 Periwinkle Way, closed this week for $225K.

SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL	CONDOS			HOMES				LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM		#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale:	141	1,000,906	174	181	1,771,417	123		45	1,447,811	282
Under contract	12	750,416	204	20	1,206,683	163		1	274,900	13
Sold to 11/14/25	88	760,715	148	136	1,331,861	141		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:	42	1,240,259	255	22	6,594,909	274	3	10,166,666	368
Under contract	2	1,100,000	130	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 11/14/25	15	936,600	228	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 Nov 7-14

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Spanish Cay #C2 2/2 $649K, Sandpiper Beach #106 2/2 $848K, Sanddollar #C103 3/2 $1.195M, Gulfside Place #115 2/2 $1.795M.

6 price changes: Spanish Cay #F2 1/1 now $380K, Spanish Cay #B3 2/2 now $510K, Spanish Cay #D5 2/2 now $559K, Sanibel Shores #A-1 2/2 now $564.5K, Lighthouse Point #315 3/2 now $850K, Atrium #306 2/2 now $1.85M.

2 new sales: Sanibel Arms #H2 1/1 listed at $340K, Sundial #N301 2/2 listed at $1.195M.

2 closed sales: Sundial #I101 1/1 $365K, Villa Sanibel #1B 2/2 $655K.

HOMES

10 new listings: 984 Greenwood Ct S (1/2 duplex) 3/2 $649K, 1224 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 $989K, 220 Daniel Dr 3/3 $1.195M, 824 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.349M, 1490 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $1.35M, 931 Snowberry Ln 4/4 $1.395M, 3351 Barra Cr 3/2.5 $1.55M, 2451 Blind Pass Ct 4/4.5 $2.395M, 1243 Anhinga Ln 4/4 $4.495M, 5079 Joewood Dr 4/4.5 $7.75M.

1 back-on-market: 5753 Pine Tree Dr 3/4 $1.395M.

8 price changes: 2162 Egret Cir (1/2 duplex) 3/2 now $648.9K, 1986 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 now $849K, 785 Rabbit Rd 3/2 now $849K, 1448 Albatross Rd 3/2 now $869K, 720 Elinor Way 3/2 now $1.099M, 5425 Shearwater Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 now $1.39M, 1255 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 now $1.595M, 706 Gopher Walk Way 3/4 now $1.698M.

4 new sales: 1615 Serenity Ln 3/2 listed at $769K, 773 Cardium St 2/2 listed at $795K, 1464 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.35M, 1234 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 listed at $1.495M.

1 closed sale; 9439 Cotten Ct 4/4.5 $989K.

LOTS

2 new listings: 1653 Bunting Ln $400K, 1253 Par View Dr $449K.

1 back-on-market: 1801 Olde Middle Gulf Dr $5.999M.

2 price changes: 4801 Tradewinds Dr now $1.93M, 5085 Joewood Dr now $2.95M.

1 new sale: 565 Birdsong Pl listed at $274.9K.

No closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Bayside Villas #5238 1/2 listed at $250K, Beach Villas III #305 4/3 listed at $1.95M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 16979 Captiva Dr 7/7.5 now $5.5M.

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