There was not much change in local weather this week, though according to Mike’s Weather Page, there is a stalled front shown across Florida next week with showers expected, particularly up north. Latest NOAA blend indicates it will be (in Mike’s words) “moist and juicy”. Bet we do not see too much rain on the island, though. Today, it is overcast with no showers yet.

October 2026

As we happily welcome the month that typically is when real estate business picks up and “season” begins, a cute social media post describes “Why October 2026 Will Be Epic” with:

• 5 Fridays
• 5 Saturdays
• Draconids & Orionids
• Hunter’s Moon
• Halloween on a Saturday
• Next Saturday Halloween is 2037
• Clocks Fall Back 2 a.m. Sunday November 1.

Cheers to 37 Years

It was 37 years ago today in 1989 when another step in our plan to move to Sanibel became reality when Dick and I became Realtors in Alexandria, VA. We continued in marine engineering by day and did real estate nights/weekends until we made the move in 1992. There have been changes in this business in those years, plus challenges from hurricanes and more. All opportunities to grow and improve professionally. Grateful for it and that it was our way to get here, make long-lasting connections, and make this community home.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

The island Association of Realtors had an Open Caravan Meeting yesterday. Guest speaker was Amber Cox, Director of Sanibel Public Library. No properties were scheduled for viewing after the meeting.

These Caravan Meetings will be Thursday mornings through “season”. Properties may be on Caravan once every six months with ten properties allowed on each tour.

Amendment 3 on Florida Ballot

Yesterday, Florida Realtors provided a Zoom presentation on the upcoming Florida vote on Amendment 3.

Florida Realtors President Chuck Bonfiglio Jr, CEO Margy Grant, and tax expert French Brown led the member-wide conversation on the Amendment including its major provisions, common questions and misconceptions, and what it would mean for Florida homeowners and property owners.

Today homesteaded property owners (primary Florida residents that are homesteaded) get a $25K exemption annually on their school property taxes. They also get a $51,411 exemption for non-school taxes (city/county). That number previously also was $25K but increased in 2024.

Amendment 3 if it passes will become effective January 1 and will raise the non-school tax exemption from $51,411 to $150K in 2027 and $250K in 2028, with inflation adjustments beginning in 2029. School funding is protected as this increased exemption applies only to non-school taxes.

Amendment 3 also lowers the annual assessment cap on non-homesteaded property (second homes, rentals, and commercial buildings) from 10% to 5%, so those owners and renters also will benefit.

It too directs remaining property-tax revenue to critical services like police and fire protection.

How cities and counties will handle their local budgets is, of course, unknown. But uncertainty should not keep voters from acting when Florida families need economic relief.

Amendment 3 will not solve every affordability challenge, but it is progress. If you are a Florida voter, please make the choice that is right.

Island Real Estate Scoop

Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been 11 new residential sales: eight Sanibel homes, two Sanibel condos, and a Captiva condo.

During the same time, there ave been six new residential listings (four Sanibel homes and two Sanibel condos) and 16 price changes.

Below with data from the island MS 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	103	873,801	286	89	1,719,623	192	50	1,095,789	348
Under contract	4	1,729,750	467	24	1,591,708	155	1	399,000	974
Sold to 10/2/26	98	824,285	187	191	1,495,665	153	13	1,602,615	233
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	26	1,812,265	226	27	5,663,074	353	3	12,333,333	605
Under contract	2	750,000	239	0	N/A	N/A	1	5,650,000	320
Sold to 10/2/26	29	975,913	119	9	4,022,222	244	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

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity September 25 – October 2

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sunset South #7A 2/2 $644K,Sanibel Arms West #F7 2/2 $950K.

2 price changes: Captains Walk #F3 2/2 now $417,535, Sayana #102 2/2 now $899K.

2 new sales: Lighthouse Point #132 2/2 listed at $499K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-2B 3/3.5 listed at $825K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

4 new listings: 992 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 $1.395M, 6143 Castaways Ln 3/2.5 $1.45M, 9015 Mockingbird Dr 3/3.5 $1.595M, 1503 Angel Dr 3/3 $1.625M.

1 back-on-market: 6062 Dinkins Lake Rd 3/2 $1.089M.

7 price changes: 1394 Middle Gulf Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/3 now $649K, 4209 Old Banyan Way 3/2.5 now $999K, 1987 My Tern Ct 3/2.5 now $1.1285M, 5425 Shearwater Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 now $1.195M, 283 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 now $1,27M, 5438 Shearwater Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/3.5 now $1.495M, 2729 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 now $1,648,990.

8 new sales: 220 Palm Lake Dr 3/3 listed at $899,999; 1386 Par View Dr 3/3 listed at $1.05M, 408 Bella Vista Way 4/4 listed at $1.2M, 824 Birdie View Pt 3/3 listed at $1.325M, 9008 Mockingbird Dr 3/3 listed at $1.335M, 1901 Sanibel Bayou Rd 3/3 listed at $1.495M, 610 Birdie View Pt 3/3.5 listed at $1.695M, 561 Lighthouse Way 5/4 listed at $3.2M.

4 closed sales: 1142 Shell Basket Ln 3/2 $548K, 1238 Par View Dr 3/3 $1.175M, 5243 Indian Ct 2/2 $1.217M, 751 Windlass Way 5/4 $2.85M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 back-on-market: 2505 Island Inn Rd $239K.

2 price changes: 1340 Eagle Run Dr now $489K, 2807 West Gulf Dr now $599.9K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 404 East Gulf Dr $450K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listings.

4 price changes: Gulf Beach Villas #2030 3/2 now $1.325M, Beach Villas #2638 3/3 now $1.65M, Seabreeze #1253 3/3 now $2.65M, Seabreeze #1256 3/3 now $2.7M.

1 new sale: Gulf Beach Villas #2121 3/3 listed at $950K.

1 closed sale: Marine Villas #802 2/2 $680K.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 33 Urchin Ct 3/2 now $1.749M, 16512 Captiva Dr 7/5.5 now $6.2M.

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 in any way responsible for the accuracy. Data maintained by the association, or its MLS, may now 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