Wrapping up another sunshiny week on Sanibel and Captiva, forecasters predict more of the same warm weather is expected through next week. There has not been a drop of rain in days, but they say the odds are up to 55% on Monday. Bougainvillea and hibiscus are blooming just the same.

It is always fun to see holiday décor when weather is tropical. I heard from New England and Mid-West pals this week, all dealing with that white stuff, that causes many to come to Florida. The island welcome mat is open with more returning snowbirds and visitors expected this winter, ready to enjoy the many new and like-new accommodations and businesses that have opened since last winter.

Sanibel Re-Opening

Casa Ybel Resort beachside Thistle Lodge restaurant and bar, plus their Coconuts poolside bar and grill, both reopened this week.

Holiday Luminary Stroll

Tonight is Sanibel’s Luminary Stroll, followed by Captiva’s tomorrow night (Sat). Starting times have moved up this year, with both from 4 to 9 p.m. Hosted by the SanCap Chamber of Commerce, this is the 39^th year for this annual event.

Heading west along the Luminary trail, at The Heart of The Islands plaza, there will be more goodies, plus a hot chocolate bar. At Jerry’s shopping center, find Santa, plus caroling, photo ops, drinks, snacks, and hot dogs from the Boy Scouts.

The Sanibel Community Church will have a petting zoo, pony rides, and food, plus performances of Handel’s Messiah at 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

At Tahitian Gardens, Santa and the Grinch arrive by Harley at 5:30 p.m., followed by kids’ game. There will be holiday treats and other entertainment with live music, too.

The Periwinkle Place Shops will feature special sales and refreshments. Pinocchio’s again will be doing their roasted chestnuts.

There will be more luminary activities at Sanibel Congregational United Church of Christ with the Sanibel Music Festival kicking off its season with a free concert at 4 p.m.

Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church will have cookies, popcorn, beverages, goodie bags, and glow necklaces, plus live music, a bounce house, and Christmas carol sing-along.

The Village Shops also will have live music, food, and libations. While across the street at Islander Center, there will be more refreshments, desserts, and a coffee bar.

In addition to the shopping centers and churches, more Luminary fun is planned at: Bank of the Islands (treats, gifts, flashlights); Captiva Curio Cottage; Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille; Florida Trust Wealth Management (pizza buffet); Rachael Pierce Gallery; Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation at Puschel Preserve; Sanibel Historical Museum and Village (open house 3 to 5 p.m.); The Community House; The Grog Shop; Traders; and VCA Sanibel Animal Hospital (tours, pet photo booth).

Captiva – Tomorrow night offering similar holiday fun, treats, and freebies, the luminary bags will be out from ‘Tween Waters Inn & Marina, to Andy Rosse Lane, and to South Seas Resort. For more info, visit https://sanibel-captiva.org/luminary/

Florida Realtors 2025 Broker Summit

Next Monday and Tuesday, December 8 and 9, I will attend (by Zoom) Florida Realtors 2025 Broker Summit. With the real estate landscape shifting it will cover topics ranging from market trends and technology to risk management and regulation. Speakers include some personal favorites: NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun and Florida Realtors General Counsel Juana Watkins.

Florida Realtors is the state’s largest professional trade association with more than 238,000 members. This summit is offered to the brokers leading their member real estate offices. It should provide good insight into the new year.

Open on Christmas

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate News

The island Association of Realtors had a West-End Caravan meeting yesterday. After the meeting, three Sanibel homes were open for easy viewing.

Looking at residential activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, just three new sales have been reported, all Sanibel homes.

During the same time, there were 10 new listings and 21 price changes.

Sanibel residential inventory is up to 408, with 246 closed sales year-to-date. Captiva has 75, with 24 closed sales.

The market is starting to shift, though from now through mid-January usually is slow for real estate sales with the busy holidays. I have not sold a home on Christmas Day since 2004, so overdue for that December action. The team and I bet that 2026 will be our best year since 2022.

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 & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Nov 28-Dec 5

Sanibel

CONDOS

6 new listings: Sanibel Arms West #L2 2/2 $650K, Oceans Reach #4A2 2/2 $975K, Villas of Sanibel #A201 3/3 $1.395M, Sundial #R405 2/2 $1.43M, LaPlaya #3B 3/2 $1.895M, Sedgemoor #206 3/3.5 $4.995M.

4 price changes: Cottage Colony West #110 1/1 now $425K, Blind Pass #G102 2/2 now $649K, Lighthouse Point #232 3/2 now $695K, Sanibel Surfside #113 2/2 now $900K.

No new sales.

2 closed sales: Colonnades #18 1/1 $262K, Sandalfoot #4D1 2/2 $535K.

HOMES

3 new listings: 495 East Lake Rd 3/2 $664,950; 3990 Coquina Dr 3/2 $1.245M, 785 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 $1.695M.

16 price changes: 1444 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 now $459.9K, 1390 Middle Gulf Dr #E (1/2 duplex) 3/3 now $699K, 711 Rabbit Rd (1/2 duplex) 2/2 now $749K, 5869 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 now $750K, 548 Chert Ct 3/2 now $759K, 662 Donax St 2/2.5 now $799K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 now $899,490; 4639 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2.5 now $975K, 1300 Par View Dr 4/2 now $987K, 1425 Causey Ct 4/3 now $999K, 1062 South Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $1.199M, 736 Durion Ct 3/3 now $1.295M, 1390 Par View Dr 3/3 now $1.395M, 706 Gopher Walk Way 3/4 now $1.585M, 5750 San-Cap Rd 3/2 now $1.775M, 1543 San Carlos Bay Dr 5/4 now $2.699M.

3 new sales: 1720 Elinor Way 3/2 listed at $1.099M, 355 East Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $1.15M, 330 Cowry Ct 5/4.5.5 listed at $3,999,999.

2 closed sales: 1043 Blue Heron Dr 3/3 $805K, 1321 Eagle Run Dr 3/3.5 $1.67M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1292 Par View Dr $469K.

1 price change: 5398 Osprey Ct now $295K.

No new or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS, HOMES, & 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