Florida’s rainy season is expected to begin soon. On Sanibel the chance of afternoon showers is over 50% for Sunday through Thursday coming up. It has been so dry all winter that there is a lot of catching up to do, we just don’t want it all at once.

There has been another change on Sanibel too. It is super quiet. My island travels this week included noticing even fewer vehicles on roadways and the shared use path. When I was out checking property this morning, I pulled into the Lighthouse Beach parking lots (bayside) and there was not a single vehicle parked.

Since Easter, snowbirds have been departing and there have been fewer visitors. Hopefully occupancy is up with the Memorial Day holiday and schools closing for summer break.

I got a chuckle when I saw a question on social media asking what time one needs to leave the island to avoid departing afternoon traffic. Best answer was “December”. It is now a breeze going through the 4-way stop and crossing the causeway.

Without any rainy season showers yet, the royal poinciana trees look to be at their peak this week — just gorgeous and in full bloom everywhere today. Another indication of May is when the Sanibel Moorings apple blossom cassia also is blooming. It was pretty when I drove by.

Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament

One of the last events of “season” is today – the 14^th Annual “Ding” Darling/Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament. This all-day event sponsored by Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grill and the non-profit J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society has raised over $1.57M for the Refuge since the tournament began in 2012. The catch-and-release tournament is the first of its kind, benefitting conservation and presenting 100% of all entry-fee proceeds to winners. It set records last year, so the bar was high for today.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

There was an open Association of Realtors caravan meeting yesterday, the first of those which are held twice a month until late fall. Just a single home was open for easy viewing following the meeting.

As usual the off-season also brings the opportunity for our members to earn the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation. Twelve classes are required. Those have been going on all week and continue into next. New applicants must complete all classes, while those that have already earned the designation must recertify every three years by taking three.

Island Real Estate Scoop

Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS, since last Friday, there have been 16 new sales posted: nine Sanibel homes, three Sanibel condos, two Sanibel lots, a Captiva condo, and a Captiva home.

During the same time, there were 10 new residential listings and eight 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	171	950,796	208	188	1,581,056	158		54	1,406,905	302
Under contract	18	952,225	238	40	1,464,272	141		3	1,348,000	208
Sold to 5/15/2026	52	828,750	172	111	1,670,474	151		9	1,852,666	234
Sold 2025	104	755,564	153	159	1,291,016	140		7	952,857	252
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

 

CAPTIVA Residential	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM	#	Avg Price	DOM
For sale	42	1,657,164	197	29	6,083,775	278	3	10,166,666	548
Under contract	8	778,125	207	1	11,900,000	214	0	N/A	N/A
Sold to 5/15/2026	13	956,461	153	5	3,815,000	257	0	N/A	N/A
Sold 2025	16	931,187	214	12	2,480,375	90	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

Hopefully, more new sales this week than new listings is an indication that the market is turning. A couple of colleagues mentioned that they have received surprise calls from former prospects that are ready for “great” deals and move-in ready. Few have any looking for condos. We chatted about how different the inquiries are that we get from buyers today. Since the last storms, buyers have become more specific in their wants. Here are some typical questions:

• Is the property elevated? Does it have an elevator?
• What damage/repairs did it have from Ian, Helene, Milton?
• What does it have for storm protection? Metal roof? Age? Impact windows & doors? Shutters? Flood barriers?
• Does it have wind, flood, and homeowners’ insurance (fire/theft)? Who is the insurance agent? Is the flood policy assumable?
• Does it have a Wind Mitigation Certificate? Has it had a recent 4-Point Inspection?
• Age of HVAC?
• Are any insurance claims pending or any property liens?
• Any unpaid or upcoming special assessments by HOA or COA?
• What are current carrying costs? Any increases expected?

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 8-15

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Arms #C7 1/1 $279,999 (SanibelSusan listing), Tennisplace #D33 1/1 $349.9K, Captains Walk #F3 2/2 $429K, Kings Crown #205 3/2 $1.249M.

3 price changes: Ibis at The Sanctuary #B302 2/2 now $649K, Villa Sanibel #3D 2/2 now $699K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A302 2/2 now $715K.

3 new sales: Sanibel Moorings #232 2/2 listed at $512.5K, Heron at The Sanctuary #III-2B 3/2.5 listed at $799K, Heron at The Sanctuary #I-2B 3/3.5 listed at $825K.

5 closed sales: Sanibel Siesta #306 2/2 $590K, Sandalfoot #3C3 2/2 $710K, Kings Crown #201 2/2 $1.2M, Sundial #K303 2/2 $1.295M, Gulfside Place #115 2/2 $1.52M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 974 Greenwood Ct S (1/2 duplex) 3//2.5 $664.9K, 3990 Coquina Dr 3/2 $1.074M, 1066 Bailey Rd 3/3 $1.875M, 738 Anchor Dr 4/3 $2.45M.

1 back-on-market: 3366 Barra Cir 3/2.5 $825K.

3 price changes: 1142 Shell Basket Ln 3/2 now $595K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 now $1.049M, 1550 Wilton Ln 3/2.5 now $1.175M.

9 new sales: 4556 Bowen Bayou Rd 1/2 listed at $549K, 1595 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed at $599K, 2011 Mitzi Ln 2/2 listed at $725K, 9225 Dimmick D 4/2.5 listed at $750K, 1629 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 listed at $778K,  734 Anchor Dr 3/2 listed at $995K, 480 Las Tiendas Ln 3/3 listed at $999K, 3702 Coquina Dr 4/3 listed at $1.05M, 1730 Jewel Box Dr 4/3 listed at $2.499M.

5 closed sales: 1310 Par View Dr 3/3 $1.22M, 1089 Skiff Pl 3/2 $1.29M, 6407 Pine Ave 3/2 $1.899M, 819 Tulip Ln 5/4 $2.4M, 6401 Pine Ave 5/4.5 $3.75M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 6408 Pine Ave listed at $1.25M,4741 Tradewinds Dr listed at $1.995M.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3114 1/1 $339K.

1 price change: Seabreeze #1256 3/3 now $2.55M.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2615 2/2 listed at $825K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 $3.498M.

1 price change: 11555 Wightman Ln 3/2.5 now $2,999,999.

1 new sale: 15735 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 listed at $11.9M.

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.

Enjoy your weekend,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan