About SanibelSusan Realty & Susan

SanibelSusan LLC is an independently-owned real estate company formed in 2002.  It does business as & was first registered in 2004 under the fictitious name, SanibelSusan Realty Associates.

Operations are at 2242 Periwinkle Way, Suite 3 at Sanibel Square, Sanibel Island, Florida.

Formed to provide team-oriented full-range real estate services to clients on Sanibel and Captiva, in addition to residential real estate sales for primary residences, second homes, vacations & investments, SanibelSusan Realty also assists clients relocating & in finding vacation rentals on the islands.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates is a member of The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS® & its Multiple Listing Service. As a secondary member of The Royal Palm Coast Association of  REALTORS® in Fort Myers & its SouthwestFlorida Multiple Listing Service, SanibelSusan listings are further promoted in Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Estero, Bonita Springs, Naples & Marco Island.

With these affiliations, SanibelSusan Realty listings receive exposure internationally on REALTOR.com, as well as syndication through over 35 real estate search engines & websites.

TRC LOGOSusan earned her Transnational Referral Certified (TRC) certification in 2010. Through this certification earned through the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA) where the National Association of Realtors® is a founding member, Susan’s listings also are promoted through cooperative agreement with 45 foreign countries & posted on the international equivalent of Realtor.com, WorldProperties.com where the listings are further translated into the many languages of the member countries.

MARKET SHARE – The SanibelSusan Realty Team specializes in & represents a large share of the property that SELLS on the islands. With kudos from many loyal & repeat clients, business is split almost fifty-fifty between working with buyers & sellers.

Susan personally has had Sanibel sales totaling over $360 million.

Susan

Susan Andrews

SUSAN’s BACKGROUND in engineering, office management, writing & negotiating contracts, made her a perfect fit for real estate when she moved to Sanibel in 1992.  Her 25-year pre-Sanibel career was in marine engineering/naval architecture, serving as Director of Contracts & Office Manager for M. Rosenblatt & Son, Inc. Washington Area Branch just prior to moving to Sanibel.

Susan has been Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® REALTOR® of the Year, represented Southwest Florida as the islands’ “Top Gun”, & is a Past President of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORS®. At the local level, she has been a member of their leadership team since 1995. At the state level, she has been part of the leadership team since 1998. Nationally, she was inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame in 2016.

SMALLER BETTER – During her first years on the island, Susan worked at the two then-largest real estate offices on Sanibel, continually moving up in production until she was their Top Producer in 2004.  Those experiences & the “lessons learned” after the storms of 2004 convinced her that the flexibility needed to properly service the islands’ unique clientele is not always found in a big company or restrictive franchise. It was in 2004 that she opened her own small, yet effective brokerage.

CUSTOMER SERVICE IS KEY – The values that are core to a small community like Sanibel  – teamwork, good communication, determination, & commitment—are the attributes that make SanibelSusan Realty Associates successful too.  Thinking “outside the box” & doing “above & beyond” are comments often associated with The SanibelSusan Team.

THIS TEAM APPROACH IS DIFFERENT – As business increased in 1999, the SanibelSusan Broker Team (Susan Andrews & Dick Everly) added their first full-time assistant, son David Anderson.

David Anderson

David Anderson

In 2004, they moved to their current location in Sanibel Square. The team is diverse & flexible.

David, Susan’s son, also a Realtor Sales-Associate is the Closing Coordinator, Office Manager, general computer guru, & expert on the physical aspects of property.

Lisa Murty

Lisa Murty

David’s wife, Lisa Murty, Realtor Sales-Associate, joined the team in 2007.

The beauty of this small, yet flexible, group is that every teammate knows the details of each transaction, supports all clients & their listings, & works together.

With over 71 years of combined real estate experience, the SanibelSusan Team has the professional skills required for smooth real estate transactions.

WHY USE A REALTOR®…

realtor logoRealtor®  representation during a real estate transaction is important for both buyers & sellers. It is a serious transaction with significant financial and emotional ramifications for the parties involved, & having property representation is critical.

Fiduciary responsibility – When you work with a Realtor®, their fiduciary responsibility is to you. That means you have an expert who is looking out for your best financial interests, an expert who is contractually bound to do everything in their power to protect you. That’s big — the value of that commitment cannot be overstated.

Complex, ever-changing real estate regulations – Buying or selling a home is not like purchasing a plane ticket. Every home is different, & laws change every year & vary from state to state. Generally speaking, people purchase a new home every 7-10 years. A lot can — and usually does — change between transactions. Realtors® are immersed in real estate, & they must stay current with all the updates in regulations, laws, contracts & practices. Once you retain your Realtor®, they put that knowledge to work for you.

Help finding the right property, beyond square footage & baths – Browsing online is a terrific way to start a property search — in fact, nearly 90% of folks start their home search online. But when it is time to buy, knowing all the pros & cons of a property can help you make the right decision. Realtors® live & breathe real estate, & they can share information about a property, particularly one on a barrier island, that you might not otherwise know.

Pricing & selling a property – There are lots of sites where you can view price estimates before you list your property for sale, but you take a risk using them. In some areas, online estimates can be off considerably, & they often rely on tax records & old data. Realtors® know the local market, have access to the latest sale data, & can price your property to maximize your earnings.

Contracts & negotiations – Finding the right property is the fun part; then the real work begins. Today, sales agreements can be lengthy and include addenda/riders. Realtors® can help you navigate these complex documents & craft an attractive offer that makes sense for you. Plus, when it comes to negotiation, your Realtor® is your advocate & brings an objective voice to a subjective situation.

Following a code of ethics – When you work with a Realtor®, you are partnering with a professional who operates according to a strict code of ethics. In place for over 100 years, the Realtor® Code of Ethics ensures that consumers who work with a Realtor® are treated professionally & ethically in all transaction-related matters. Realtors® have the expertise & experience to help sellers protect their investment & help buyers build theirs.

WHY CHOOSE SanibelSusan Realty Associates…

Advertising – More than 30% of SanibelSusan’s operating budget is spent on advertising which contributes to a nearly 100% public awareness factor on the islands.  Almost everyone on the islands has heard of SanibelSusan.

By continually monitoring the results from spending these advertising dollars, SanibelSusan knows what works, but continues to explore new avenues as technology changes. Bucks are spent that produce results.

Past Clients & New Business – SanibelSusan’s largest single source of buyers & sellers is satisfied clients who refer others.  SanibelSusan’s references are gladly shared & “glowing”.

Top Producer – For many years, SanibelSusan has been one of the top island REALTORs®. She was the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORs®  “REALTOR®  of the Year” in 1996, their President in 1999, and the District’s “TOP GUN” in 2011, and received their Community Service award in 2017.

Since 1992, Susan has sold property totaling over $360+ million on Sanibel. She has achieved Honor Society status with the local Association every year since 1993 & been selected for state Honor Society every year since 1999. For all of these years, she has worked tirelessly on both the state & local leadership teams.

ASSOC LogoSusan was one of the first island REALTORS® to earn the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation, a program she helped to develop in the late 90’s.

EcoBrokerOriginalCertifiedLogo150pShe is the only island company owner with the Eco-Broker Certification.

ePROIn 2010, Susan also received the nationally recognized e-PRO® designation.

TRC logo Also in 2010, Susan came Transnational Referral Certified which more broadly expanded the company’s international base to over 45 countries.

Icrea logoWith referrals from their designated real estate practitioners through the International Consortium of Real Estate Associations, SanibelSusan Realty listings are marketed throughout the world in the languages of these member countries.

RSPS LogoIn 2012, when the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of REALTORs®  added classes to their island specialist designation, Susan was the natural to write & teach the class on Resorts & Second Homes. She is one of only ~1700 REALTORs ® nationally that holds their certification as a “Resort & Second-Home Property Specialist”. She authored this class in 2012 and has taught it every summer since then, updating it each year.

SanibelSusan

These plaques recognizing NAR’s Hall of Fame achievers are on the roof-top deck of the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) building in Washington DC

Susan’s other contributions to the real estate community include:

At the national level: 15+year recognized “Sterling R” and “Crystal R” in 2016, after which she was inducted into the RPAC Hall of Fame in 2017.

In 2019, Susan was one of the first Realtors® nationally to earn the coveted C2EX (Commitment to Excellence) endorsement. She renewed that commitment in 2022.

At FloridaRealtors® , a member of the leadership team since 1998.

  • a 24+year continuing member of the FloridaRealtors®  Honor Society
  • FloridaRealtors®  trained/approved Mediator since 2011.

Florida Realtors logoAt FloridaRealtors®  appointed to and serves/served on the following:

  • Legislative Think Tank: 2017-2019
  • Resort & Second Home Specialists Breakout Group: 2017- 2019; Resort & Second Home Specialists Forum: 2012-2016, Steering Group 2015
  • Curriculum Subcommittee: 2014 & 2019
  • Professional Development Committee: 2001-2006, 2008, 2010, 2013-2018
  • Forms Content Committee: 2018
  • Program Development Subcommittee: 2018
  • Education Directors Subcommittee: 2017
  • Professional Standards Forum: 2012-2016; Steering Group 2016; (formerly Professional Standards Committee: 2003-2006, 2008, 2010 & 2011)
  • Professional Subcommittee: 2014 & 2015
  • Faculty Development Subcommittee: 2002-2006, 2008, & 2013
  • Realtor/Attorney Joint Committee: 2003
  • Programs & Services Subcommittee: 2001
  • Multiple Listing Committee: 2000
  • Board Leadership Forum: 2000
  • Board of Directors: 1999
  • Serves twice annually on the state Audition Panel for new instructors who educate the Realtor community.

SanCapAssnLogoAt the local level, with the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®  for the 26th consecutive year in 2018, Susan was selected for their Honor Society.

In 2001 selected as the District V Sanibel & Captiva “Top Gun”.

In 2017, she received the Association’s “Community Service” award and a “President’s Award for “Above & Beyond”.

Also locally serves/served as follows:

  • Professional Standards Committee: 2007-2022
  • Communications & Public Relations Committee: Chairman 2006 & 2017; 2018
  • Ombudsman Program Committee: Chairman 2016, 2017-2022
  • Nominating Committee: 2013. Chairman 2014; 2015
  • Grievance Committee: 2001, 2002, Chairman 2015
  • Professional Development Committee: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2011, 2012, Chairman 2013; 2022
  • Environmental Education Task Force: Chairman 2008
  • MLS Committee: 1995, 1996, Chairman 1998, 2001, 2002
  • President: 1999, President-Elect: 1998, Vice President 1997, Board of Directors: 1996-2000
  • Internet Committee: Chairman 1997
  • Strategic Planning Committee: 1995
  • Real Estate Guide Committee: 1995
  • Computer Committee: 1995.

OUR TEAM – The SanibelSusan Team concept ensures that every property & every transaction is serviced by not one but FOUR real estate professionals.  Each has specialties from marketing to negotiating, engineering to appraisals, inspections to technology, from accepting a listing to getting it sold quickly & effectively, & from writing a solid contract to getting it to the closing table promptly.

Each team member complements the others.  The SanibelSusan Team has the systems in place & professional experience needed to ensure that every detail is completed accurately & expeditiously.

If you are thinking of buying or selling on Sanibel or Captiva Islands, please contact SanibelSusan Realty Associates. You will be glad you did.