Counting down to the holidays, here is a photo that Teammate David took this morning at Lighthouse Beach when he was out on his rounds checking our listings. The white sand with the footprints almost looks like snow.

It was funny yesterday at our Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors Monthly Membership Meeting to hear those wearing their ugly Christmas sweaters complain they were too hot. Nothing like December in Florida!

The AC was turned on and all were happy. More of the same warm sunshiny weather – high 70’s/low 80’s is expected right through Christmas.

In more news from our meeting, guest speaker from the Captiva Civic Association encouraged members to also join their organization. Living on Captiva is not a requirement. In addition to social events, they are active in preserving the islands, including with strong stands about the environment and over development. Like Sanibel, they want to preserve their island charm and sense of community.

After the Caravan Meeting that followed, five west-end Sanibel homes were open for easy viewing. The next Caravan Meeting is January 9, East-End.

 Also, after the Caravan Meeting, island brokers met in roundtable with Association CEO Bill Robinson providing reminders and an update on MLS changes coming in 2026.

Our Realtors and Affiliate Members continue to work hard to get residents and visitors back, so it was discouraging to hear that accommodation managers are reporting that only about 50% of available properties are booked for Feb/Mar. That means plenty of vacancies still for this winter and many sweet deals being offered to entice reservations.

More Changes & Happenings

Lighthouse Cafe, 1020 Periwinkle Way, announced this week that they now will also be open for dinner. So, in addition to serving breakfast and lunch from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. they will serve dinner from 4 to 9 p.m.

Tarpon Bay Explorers, 900 Tarpon Bay Rd, beginning tomorrow, will again be offering their Nature & Sealife Cruises and Evening Nature Cruises. These have not been offered since pre-Ian. During these cruises around Tarpon Bay, on board covered pontoon boat, Explorer V, naturalists will explain the environment as attendees look for manatees, dolphins, and birds. Check their website for schedule and reservations, www.TarponBayExplorers.com.

Economic Summit – Plan Ahead for February 19

The island Association of Realtors has arranged for NAR Chief Economist Dr Lawrence Yun to come to the island in person and speak at an Economic Summit at The Community House on Thursday morning, Feb 19. The event is open to Association members and the public.

I have been a fan of Dr Yun for years. He does not just talk about the economy nationally and worldwide but also drills down to local areas. His predictions are “right on” too. We hope for a good turnout to hear him.

More Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate News

Looking at residential activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, there have been 5 new sales, all Sanibel homes. During the same time, there were 20 new listings and 13 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	166	1,055,958	168	225	1,763,381	116		53	1,274,500	261
Under contract	6	623,500	209	19	1,877,894	110		2	737,450	275
Sold to 12/19/25	100	762,237	154	153	1,300,454	145		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	51	1,264,252	232	27	6,372,481	256	3	10,166,666	401
Under contract	2	1,100,000	130	0	N/A	N/A	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 12/19/25	16	931,187	214	9	1,551,611	121	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 Dec 12-19

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Mariner Pointe #733 2/2 $549K, Sanibel Moorings #1422 2/2 $639K, Lighthouse Point #216 2/2 $697K, Oceans Reach #2A4 2/2 $999K.

3 price changes: Sanibel Siesta #202 2/2 now $675K, Loggerhead Cay #583 2/2 now $789K, Lighthouse Point #315 3/2 now $795K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

13 new listings: 1595 Bunting Ln 3/2 $649.9K, 4619 Rue Bayou 3/2 $899K, 717 Gopher Walk Way 3/3.5 $975K, 693 Emeril Ct 3/3 $1.199M, 1040 Kings Crown Dr 4/3 $1.25M, 517 Lake Murex Cir 4/3 $1.349M, 4460 Waters Edge Ln 3/2 $1.35M, 1422 Sanderling Cir 4/3 $1.35M, 1172 Kittiwake Cir 5/3 $1.498M, 4452 Waters Edge Ln 3/3 $1.848M, 699 Anchor Dr 4/4 $2.75M, 1480 Angel Dr 3/3.5 $2.95M, 1520 Angel Dr 4/4.4 $3.195M.

7 price changes: 490 Marian Rd 2/2 now $649K, 1283 Par View Dr 2/2 now $895K.1139 Buttonwood Ln 2/2 now $939K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $984K, 702 Pyrula Ave 3/2 now $995K, 6076 Castaways Ln 3/2 now $1.5M, 6120 Henderson Rd 3/2.5 now $1.595M.

5 new sales: 611 North Yachtsman Dr 3/2 listed at $949K, 5753 Pine Tree Dr 3/4 listed at $1.395M, 2479 Harbour Ln 4/3 listed at $1.395M, 1266 Par View Dr 4/4 listed at $2.289M, 5071 Joewood Dr 4/5.5.5 listed at $4.95M.

7 closed sales: 773 Cardium St 2/2 $750K, 1610 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 $779K, 1769 Bowmans Beach Rd 2/2 $800K, 5221 Old Banyan Way 3/2 $980K, 926 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $1.2M, 203 Daniel Dr 3/3 $1.325M, 2681 Coconut Dr 3/3.5 $2,100,800.

LOTS

2 new listings: 4019 Coquina Dr $485K, 4037 Coquina Dr $1.1M.

1 price change: 651 Donax St now $550K.

No new or closed sales.

CAPTIVA

CONDOS

1 new listing: Seabreeze #1255 3/3 $2.699M.

2 price changes: Bayside Villas #4112 1/2 now $530K, Bayside Villas #4216 1/2 now $530K.

No new or closed sales.

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.

Merry Christmas!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan