Category Archives: Florida property

Happy Super Bowl Sunday & Valentine’s Day Monday… Have a Great Week!

Posted on by
Reply

It’s time for another Friday update from SanibelSusan. Following a semi-chilly first few days, the week here is wrapping up with beautiful sunny weather today – temperatures in the low 70’s.

Boardwalk to gulf at Sanibel Moorings

At SanibelSusan Realty, we had another listing go under contract over the weekend, prepared for a couple of upcoming closings and our big annual mailing which is at the printer. I also met with another owner thinking of selling and spent several hours looking at communities with prospective buyers.

There is little inventory available for actual showings. Those that come on the market, priced right, are getting multiple cash offers, many over asking prices and with few, if any, contract contingencies. It is challenging to be a buyer in this hot sellers’ market. As of this afternoon, on Sanibel, according to the island MLS, there are just 14 condos and 14 homes for sale. Usually in February, there are a hundred plus.

Yesterday at the Association of Realtors® weekly Caravan Meeting, there were no properties open for viewing and no new listings announced. First time that has happened in my 30 years attending those meetings.

Below are a couple of news items, followed by the action since last Friday posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Sanibel City Council to Host Town Hall Workshop

The following was excerpted from an on-line post today by The Community House:

Sanibel City Council has announced a Town Hall Workshop scheduled from 6 to 8 p.m. Tues, Feb 15, 2022, at the Sanibel Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way.

As Council prepares to conduct a Strategic Planning Retreat in March, they invite Sanibel residents to attend the workshop to offer input about locally controlled issues they deem imperative to the long-range planning for the City.

The two-hour workshop will be divided into three primary areas of discussion:

  • Environment
  • Community
  • Business & City Infrastructure

Meeting Format: Following opening comments by Mayor Holly D. Smith, residents will be provided an opportunity to speak about issues within the primary areas of discussion listed above. Approximately 40 minutes will be allocated for resident input within each area of discussion.

Prior to the workshop, residents may provide City Clerk Scotty Lynn Kelly with position papers, presentations, letters, etc. via email at Scott.Kelly@MySanibel.com. All presentations and submissions will become part of the workshop public record and be used to provide the City Council with detailed information about residents’ concerns and issues. This information can be provided in lieu of speaking during the Town Hall Workshop or as a supplement to public comments.

Speakers must adhere to the following procedures when addressing the City Council:

  • Public Comment Cards – All residents who wish to speak at the workshop must fill out a public comment card provided by the City. A fillable and printable public comment card may be accessed by clicking this link; blank public comment cards will also be available at the workshop.
  • Order of Speakers – Speakers will be called in the order announced by City Manager Dana Souza, within each individual discussion topic area.
  • Recognized Speakers – Only the speaker recognized by the Mayor has the floor and must be at a microphone to speak. Councilmembers may ask clarifying questions of speakers.
  • Topics – Speakers should focus on issues, not on persons or personalities.
  • Name – All speakers must state their name into the microphone before speaking.
  • Time Limit – Length of individual public comments is expected to be five minutes per speaker. City Council reserves the right to limit the length of individual public comments to ensure maximum participation from the public.

Audience members should respect the following meeting rules:

  • Sidebar Discussions – Sidebar discussions are not permitted during the Town Hall Workshop. Persons wishing to speak with other members of the public during the workshop should exit the room to hold their conversation.
  • Decorum – Anger, rudeness, ridicule, impatience, and lack of respect for others are not acceptable behaviors. Demonstrations in support or opposition to a speaker or idea such as clapping, cheering, booing, hissing, or intimidating body language are not permitted.

Sanibel residents who are not able to attend the workshop may listen to the meeting live on the City’s website www.mysanibel.com.  Click here to access the Feb 15 workshop agenda.

COVID Migration: Who’s Moving to Fla. and Why?

Posted Tuesday on FloridaRealtors® and sourced to “The Palm Beach Post”, by Kimberly Miller

“WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. – Extraordinary events have forever pushed and pulled and pressured U.S. population shifts, from gold lust to the citrus rush to the restless return of WWII soldiers to revolutions in foreign lands and civil war on southern soil.

“Now there is COVID-19, which has turned a years-long trickle to Florida from the northeast into a deluge. More than 547,000 people exchanged out-of-state driver’s licenses last year for ones with Sunshine State addresses. That’s a 40% increase from 2020 and nearly 20% greater than the five-year average between 2017 and 2021.

The license swaps – largely from New York (11%), New Jersey (6%) and foreign countries (14%) – are acutely felt in Florida real estate markets where inventory is anemic and prices aggressive. The median sale price on Palm Beach County single-family homes ended 2021 at nearly half-a-million dollars with the average price pushing seven figures.

“Demographers believe the relocations are no tropical dalliance because a driver’s license switch is a sign of determination to make Florida home, even if hurricane season and August’s sweltering humidity are spent in cooler climes away from storms and sticky air.

““Unquestionably the COVID impact was the trigger,” said Related Cos. President Ken Himmel about the influx of people and businesses to Florida and Palm Beach County specifically. “Unquestionably, COVID turned the switch on full blast.”

“While the bullseye markets, such as Palm Beach County, may experience the ache of rising rents and home prices until inventory increases, growth experts were reluctant to say the COVID migration on a nationwide scale will make history. Some move to the suburbs was already happening as millennials age. A bump in retirees was also expected, although it was likely expedited by the Great Resignation/Retirement, the euphemism signaling massive waves of frustrated workers and Baby Boomers exiting the job market. Vanderbilt University Assistant Finance Professor Peter Haslag said COVID-related dispersions are more geographically diverse than past migrations, diluting long-term impacts.

“For Florida, migration is tradition. “Migration to Florida is an old story,” said University of Washington professor and historian James Gregory in an article for America’s Great Migrations Project that noted the early 1900s citrus and land boom in the state. “More than any other state, Florida has consistently attracted newcomers.”

Of the 61,728 New Yorkers who in 2021 handed over Empire State driver’s licenses for a Florida license, 19,100 or 31% got IDs with Broward, Miami-Dade or Palm Beach County Zip codes. Palm Beach County accounted for 8,107 of the transplants, the largest share of any county in the state.

“Outside of the Gold Coast counties of southeast Florida, a weighty exchange of New York licenses last year also occurred in Orange (4,203), Hillsborough (3,746), Lee (2,672), Pinellas (2,335) and Sarasota (2,149) counties….”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 4-11, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Captains Walk #C5 2/1 $549K; Mariner Pointe #733 2/2 $699,999; Pointe Santo #B44 2/2 $1.45M; Junonia #301 4/2 $2.99M.

1 price change: Blind Pass #D102 2/2 now $685K.

7 new sales: Sanibel Moorings #1411 1/1 listed at $525K, Sandalfoot #5B1 1/1 listed at $768K, Sanibel Inn #1E 2/2 listed at $850K, Lighthouse Point #112 3/2 listed at $864K, Loggerhead Cay #584 2/2 listed at $895K, Sanibel Moorings #122 2/2 listed at $1.2M (our listing), Compass Point #162 2/2 listed at $1.85M.

Sanibel Moorings #122, view from one of the balconies.

5 closed sales: Sundial #C305 1/1 $549,945; Ibis at The Sanctuary#A101 2/2 $669K, Sanibel Moorings #1132 2/2 $803K, Tarpon Beach #106 2/2 $1.06M, Yacht Haven #2 3/2 $1.475M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 320 Palm Lake Dr 2/2 $925K, 2620 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.395M, 4972 Joewood Dr 4/3.5 $3.72M.

2 price changes: 885 Limpet Dr 4/3 now $3.25M, 4322 West Gulf Dr 4/3.5 now $3.295M.

7 new sales: 1230 Anhinga Ln 4/2 duplex listed at $699K, 4560 Brainard Bayou 3/2 $829K, 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex listed at $850K, 1398 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed at $895K, 1053 Seahawk Ln 3/2 listed at $1.195M, 4636 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 listed at $1.725M, 2276 Starfish Ln 4/3.5 listed at $2.395M.

3 closed sales: 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 $840K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $935K, 853 Tulip Ln 3/2 $1.735M, 1304 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 $4.275M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 1340 Eagle Run Dr listed at $520K, 845 Pyrula Ave listed at $525K.

1 closed sale: 4767 Tradewinds Dr $2.05M.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5226 1/2 $625K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Captiva Hide-A-Way #1A 2/2 listed at $1.35M.

1 closed sale: Beach Homes #2 3/3 $3.125M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11549 Wightman Ln 3/4 $3.395M.

1 price change: 15867 Captiva Dr 7/6 now $11.7M.

1 new sale: 30 Urchin Ct listed at $1.495M.

No closed sale.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Enjoy your Super Bowl Sunday & best wishes for a Happy Valentine’s Day on Monday!

Til next Friday,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

HOT MARKET – Only 51 Properties Available on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on by
Reply

It has been another busy real estate week for The SanibelSusan Team. We are thankful for two more closings, a couple of meetings with owners thinking of selling, and that the chilly island weather (coldest here in four years) is behind us. Forecasters reported yesterday that SW FL was the warmest area in the nation with 85 degrees F – exactly why Florida is so popular in the winter!

(Photo below of view from our listing at Sanibel Moorings #122. It is one of only 13 condos currently for sale on Sanibel.)

The activity since last Friday posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of new items below. First a summary of island inventory today with that info also from islands MLS. Just 51 properties are for sale in total on both islands – including condos, homes, and lots. The market remains hot hot hot!

 

 

Status

 SANIBEL CAPTIVA
Condos Homes Lots Condos Homes Lots
# Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $
For sale 13 1,181,846 12 2,541,500 16 541,437 4 2,122,250 6 7,881,666 0 N/A
Under contract 26 1,082,203 37 2,081,483 9 778,333 4 1,540,750 6 4,346,500 0 N/A
Sold to-date 2022 16 956,000 23 1,423,782 2 690,500 2 1,012,500 1 4,794,500 0 N/A
Sold 2021 287 875,127 355 1,341,881 69 698,862 64 1,150,373 44 2,988,520 2 2,950,000

The Sky is Falling

From Perfection Lawn & Pest Control’s January/February newsletter with some iguana info:

“Green scaly, invaders are stomping all over Florida cities and causing problems. It’s not Godzilla terrorizing the Sunshine State, it’s iguanas and they’re overtaking the environment. When temperatures drop, so do green iguanas – from the trees. But evolution, it seems, could be changing their tolerance to the cold.

“Research shows some species of lizards have grown more tolerant of cold temperatures. It also could mean fewer images on social media of iguanas lying on their backs under trees, legs in the air, stunned until warm sunshine gets their bodies moving again.

“As recently as four years ago, most of South Florida’s common lizard species could tolerate temperatures between 46 and 52 degrees. Now, they hold up to temperatures as low as 44 degrees, according to a study done by a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis.

“Iguanas are invasive, propagate profusely and wreak havoc on homes, gardens, sidewalks, pool decks, seawalls, boats and anywhere else they eat and, well, poop.

“Don’t think they are dead and discard or bury them when you see them lying on the ground under trees; they revive when the weather warms up.”

Mortgage Rates Remain Stable This Week at 3.55%

Posted yesterday on-line at FloridaRealtors® and sourced to the Associated Press, by Matt Ott, the following article is noteworthy, because economic news affects real estate sales, regardless of whether buyers get financing. In a “hot market”, the strongest offers remain those with no contingencies.

“After a notable increase for a few weeks, the average rate for a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage stopped rising, remaining relatively flat for three weeks.

“WASHINGTON (AP) – Average long-term U.S. mortgage rates were flat for a third straight week after rising about a half percent early in the year.

“The average rate on the 30-year loan held at 3.55% from last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported Thursday. It stood at 2.73% a year ago.

“The average rate on 15-year, fixed-rate mortgages, popular among those refinancing their homes, fell to 2.77% from 2.80% last week. One year ago, the rate was 2.21%.

“Though they remain historically low, home loan rates have been rising to levels not seen since early 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic was breaking in the U.S.

“Last week, the Fed signaled that it would begin a series of interest rate hikes in March, reversing pandemic-era policies that have fueled hiring and growth, but also adding to inflation levels not seen in some 40 years. Earlier this month, the government reported that inflation spiked to 7% in December from a year earlier, the sharpest increase in four decades. In addition, the Labor Department reported that prices at the wholesale level surged by a record 9.7% last month from December 2020.

“The Fed’s upcoming rate hike – or hikes – will likely make it more expensive to borrow for a home, car or business. Also Thursday, the government reported that applications for unemployment benefits fell for the second week in a row after three straight weeks of increases that economists blamed on the surging omicron variant of COVID-19.

“The Commerce Department reported last week that the nation’s gross domestic product – its total output of goods and services – expanded 5.7% in 2021, the strongest calendar-year growth since a 7.2% surge in 1984. In the fourth quarter, the economy grew at an unexpectedly brisk 6.9% annual pace.

“Available housing has been hard to come by since long before the pandemic started, and rising prices are making it even harder for homebuyers to secure a new home. Economists expect rising interest rates to add to house hunters’ dismay.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 28‑February 4, 2022

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #1411 1/1 $525K, Cyprina Beach #8 2/2.5 $1.595M.

No price changes.

6 new sales: Cottage Colony West #119 1/1 listed at $589.9K; Loggerhead Cay #242 2/2 listed at $765K; Loggerhead Cay #351 2/2 listed at $824K; Sanibel Moorings #1332 2/2 listed at $874,999; Shell Island Beach Club #A5 2/2 listed at $1.2M; Sedgemoor #101 3/3.5 listed at $3.995M.

6 closed sales: Dugger’s Tropical Cottages #1 1/1 $452K, Donax Village #7 2/2 $650K (our listing), Donax Village #17 2/2 $695K, Breakers West #C2 2/2 $700K, Pointe Santo #A26 2/2 $1.35M, Tarpon Beach #110 2/2 $1.35M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex $850K, 4636 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $1.725M.

No price changes.

8 new sales: 567 Rabbit Rd 2/2 listed at $789K, 1105 Skiff Pl 3/2 listed at $1.095M, 645 Oliva St 3/3 listed at $1.1M, 606 Boulder Dr listed 3/2 $1.1999M, 593 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 listed at $1.395M, 930 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 listed at $1.795M, 474 Lagoon Dr 3/3.5 listed at $2.495M, 1077 Bird Ln 4/4/2 listed at $5.699M.

8 closed sales: 9217 Dimmick Dr 3/2 $699K, 3702 Coquina Dr 2/2 $850K, 644 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $869K, 4285 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $900K (our buyer), 1195 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $1.25M, 543 Boulder Dr 3/2 $1.265M, 979 Whelk Dr 3/2.5 $1.6M, 2391 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $2.35M.

LOTS

3 new listings: 535 Leather Fern Pl $275K, 2486 Wulfert Rd $229K, 490 Sea Oats Dr $699K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 2310 Wulfert Rd listed at $299K, 544 Lake Murex Cir listed at $699K.

1 closed sale: 0 Rue Bayou $699K.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Marina Villas #709 2/2 $1.195M, Captiva Hide-a-Way #1A 2/2 $1.35M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Bayside Villas #5210 1/2 listed at $499K, Beach Homes #2 3/3 listed at $3.395M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 listed at $3.495M, 15855 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 listed at $8.795M.

1 closed sale: 16897 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 $4.7945M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

It’s Gonna Be a Rare Chilly Florida Weekend

Posted on by
Reply

This week the downward effects of cold fronts up north brought some chilly weather to the islands. Most locals turned their heat on for the first time in many months. With daytime highs in the 60’s to low 70’s, an even chillier weekend is forecast. While northern states are slated for lots of snow, temperatures here both Saturday and Sunday are expected to go only into the mid-50’s, with freeze warnings in some of SW Florida. Certainly not bikini weather, though most vacationers make the best of it, while we locals continue to enjoy wearing our once-a-year clothes. On a positive note, there were a couple of evenings with nice sunsets again this week. All now after 6 p.m. Hooray!

At SanibelSusan Realty

After posting our blog last week, The SanibelSusan Team had a busy real estate weekend. Teammate Dave and I both fielded inquiries and offers. Wed, we received a new condo listing which already is generating interest with showings scheduled before guest check-in tomorrow. Thank goodness, our photographer, Jim Anderson, fit us into his busy schedule with him filming it this morning. Fingers crossed that he will Photoshop the sky which today looks like I remember it in New England when it was about to snow.

Tues, we had a nice closing this (the results of a multi-year group effort Lisa, Dave, Susan). Two more closings are in the works for next week. Phones are ringing with prospective buyers, many worried, as we are, about the limited inventory. We also are meeting with prospective Sellers next week hopefully to boost that inventory.

The details on activity since last Friday, in the island MLS, are after a couple of news items below.

Florida Realtors® Update – What’s Changing for Florida Real Estate?

Posted Jan 21 on Florida Realtors® by Marla Martin:

“2022 RE Trends panel: Big and small biz relocations, plus the here-to-stay wave of untethered remote workers, will impact Fla.’s markets for years to come.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – After almost two pandemic years, changes created to deal with COVID-19 have created major shifts that affect Florida’s real estate markets, according to a panel of site developers, Realtors® and economic development experts who spoke to more than 300 Realtors during the 2022 Florida Real Estate Trends summit Thursday.

““Prior to COVID, we saw a lot of Wall Street firms testing the waters with CEOs looking at homes,” said Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO of the Business Development Board of Palm Beach County. “Now, these CEOs are signing seven- to 10-year commercial leases, they’re legally domiciling and, most importantly, they’re buying homes and putting their kids in private schools. We now have zero slots open for any private school in Palm Beach County.”

“The Real Estate Trends event was part of this year’s Florida Realtors®’ Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the Renaissance SeaWorld Orlando. In addition to Smallridge, other panelists included: Deanna Armel, broker-owner, Armel Real Estate; John Boyd, principal, The Boyd Company; and Melanie Schmees, director of business and economic research, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce. Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor and Dr. Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographic and behavioral insights at the National Association of Realtors (NAR) also shared their insights on the 2022 outlook.

“Kelly Smallridge, president and CEO, Business Development Board of Palm Beach County – Unfortunately, the misconception that Florida schools lag and the state’s educated workforce is lacking still lingers among many executives inquiring about relocating their businesses, Smallridge said, and that is “absolutely not the case.” Once they’re in Florida, check out the schools and have their children tested for placement, their perception quickly changes, she said. “The average salary in Palm Beach County is $61,000, while the average salary of the people coming in now is $1 million,” she added – another boon to local businesses and area development.

Many of the business executives interested in moving to Florida want to look at homes first, she said, and may not mention a possible relocation. “When you’re taking a buyer around to see homes, see if they also have any interest in bringing a business here,” Smallridge advised brokers and real estate agents. “You can offer them information to connect with local chambers of commerce or economic development officials. We help them understand all the logistics of what it takes to get them up and running. So, we’re really part of your team. Together, we can land not only the home but the company as well.”

“Melanie Schmees, director of business and economic research, Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce – Like real estate, economic development often involves referrals and regional cooperation, said Schmees. “Naples is a unique market,” she explained. “Right now, we have a 1% industrial vacancy rate; sometimes, we need to direct those interested to other areas near us like Fort Myers. The whole region benefits.” One factor important for ongoing business relocations and continued economic development in Florida will be the consideration of employees’ needs and how they can manage new lives here. “We need to create an environment that works for the workers, not only the business executives,” Schmees said. “Often, their workers are concerned that they can’t make the move. They’re worried they can’t find housing or figure out their cost of living.”

“Deanna Armel, broker-owner Armel Real Estate – “Florida in general is a draw for business and for out-of-state buyers,” she said. “There’s no state income tax, our weather, beaches, and in Orlando, our theme parks. Since COVID (the start of the pandemic), home preferences have changed. People want an office, a pool, flex space and a yard.” According to Armel, the influx of major business relocations and wealthy buyers who can pay cash – like many California residents moving to Florida after selling their homes – has made an impact on the housing market, particularly in the luxury-home sector. “I call it monopoly money,” she said. “Cash is great, but it’s really hurting our buyers who need financing, our veterans, our workers and first-time homebuyers. The competition is unbelievable, especially in new construction. New construction, turn-key, luxury homes: That’s what California buyers want.”

“John Boyd, principal, The Boyd Company – Before the pandemic, about 10% of employees worked remotely, said Boyd. “Today, over half of the workforce works remotely, at least on a hybrid basis, and this change is here to stay. It saves businesses too much in terms of office space, operations and so on. It’s also a great recruiting tool – people like the flexibility.” He noted that economic development is now a “people first operation.” And that, he said, “has established a new class of economic development workers – the residential real estate agent.”

Brightline, the private high-speed rail system running from Miami to West Palm Beach with an expansion in the works to Orlando, is a positive for marketing Florida for economic development, the panelists said. “I think we’ll see a lot of exciting development projects along those Brightline lines, with the ability to connect between Central Florida and South Florida,” Boyd said. Another plus for Florida? “Our state is a magnet for global talent, experience and skill sets,” he added. “Having no state income also attracts industry and development. Business and money tend to go where it feels welcome.””

Loans for Condos? New Rules Start to Have an Effect

Posted on-line Jan 24 at Florida Realtors®, the below article is sourced to the “Daily Breeze” and mortgage broker Jeff Lazerson:

“Fannie’s tighter loan requirements post-Surfside collapse started Jan. 1; Freddie’s start Feb. 28. In the meantime, the list of no-loan condo projects will likely keep growing.

“HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. – A nightmare scenario looms for condo buyers applying for certain types of federally backed mortgages. If you are selling or are looking to buy an attached condominium in a community with five or more attached units, conventional financing from mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac may soon become elusive.

“Beginning Jan. 1 for Fannie and starting Feb. 28 for Freddie, the mortgage giants are putting the screws to a required HOA questionnaire. New questions ask applicants about the structural integrity of the community and whether any code violations are anticipated.

“No doubt, Fannie and Freddie’s updated lender mandates are in response to the Florida condo tower that killed 98 people last June 24. Years of deferred maintenance at the Champlain Towers in Surfside caused the 12-story building to collapse.

“Answering the agencies thoroughly and completely could force lenders to decline a mortgage application. (Remember: Mortgage lenders fund a loan, and then may sell it to Fannie or Freddie).

““Yes, lenders are declining projects even for a simple special assessment for repairs now. Things are just trickling in right now because the guidance started Jan. 1,” said one condo project approval expert, who asked to remain unnamed because he’s not the media spokesman for his company. “Soon enough we’ll see the effects hit all the condo market. I’ve only seen it affect projects with major issues at this point; meaning (the project) has code violations and millions of dollars of repairs underway.”

“Answering these questions honestly or possibly with a guess could bring liability in the form of future lawsuits against HOA stakeholders, such as the property management company, board members, inspectors, engineers and the association.

“If the questionnaire isn’t completely answered because the answers are unknown or undetermined, it might mean the purchase or refinance gets torpedoed.

“Here is a sprinkling of questions included in Fannie Mae’s Form 1076 condominium project questionnaire (posted December 2021 and updated to eight from five pages):

Question: Is the HOA aware of any deficiencies related to the safety, soundness, structural integrity or habitability of the project’s building(s)?

My take: If management didn’t know about any deficiencies, for example, and answered as such, should they have reasonably known these calamities could come up later?

Question: Is it anticipated the project will, in the future, have such violations (zoning ordinances, codes, etc., which are related to safety, soundness, structural integrity or habitability)?

My take: For the love of peace, how could one possibly determine if yet-to-be-written, jurisdictional codes trigger new violations in the condo complex?

“These dubious questions could be akin to a winning lottery ticket for any attorney who lives in the world of HOA litigation.

“Why is this so problematic? The nation has a huge community of really old condos and many of them are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages. The U.S. has as many as 156,000 condo associations and cooperatives housing between 27 million and 32 million Americans, according to the Community Associations Institute (CAI).

““Seventy percent of all condo loans in the U.S. are Fannie or Freddie (backed),” said Dawn Bauman, senior vice president of government affairs at CAI. “Sixty to 70% of all condo complexes are more than 30 years old.”

Fannie Mae has a published list of 82 “unavailable” California condo-projects, including the Marina City Club in Marina Del Rey, which has $80 million to $140 million in needed repairs according to a report last year. That a 10-acre complex is one of nearly 1,000 “unavailable” condo projects nationwide. To Fannie Mae, unavailable means a property is ineligible for purchase by the agency.

“One mortgage executive told me Fannie is making the rounds, emphasizing these new condo questions during lender visits. So don’t be surprised if that unavailable list explodes as Fannie collects more intel.

“To be fair, Fannie and Freddie need to dig more deeply to assess and consider condo structural risk before purchasing those mortgages from lenders. The mortgage giants also may disqualify a condo community for other reasons, such as a lack of budget reserves.

“If your loan is denied over the Fan or Fred HOA certification answers, you may be able to get funded on what the industry calls a non-warrantable loan. You should expect to pay perhaps one-half to one point higher in rate than conventional financing. You also might have to provide a larger down payment or have more remaining equity compared with Fannie-type requirements.

“But buyer beware: Non-qualified mortgage lenders that offer the exotic non-warrantable condo mortgages are not a loan approval shoo-in, either.

“For example, California-based LendSure has a condo guidance checklist to help determine investor risks. The common three items it looks at are investor concentration (how many rentals are in the complex), single investor (does one person or entity own a bunch of the units), and litigation against the condo complex, according to Joe Lydon, co-founder, and managing director of LendSure.

“Why so much deferred maintenance? Unit owners are often resistant to increased HOA fees or special assessments for repairs and updates.

“Condo complex building inspections can run $15,000 to $50,000 depending on the number of units, according to Bauman.

““Community Associations Institute is lobbying for laws mandating reserve studies and building inspections,” said Bauman. CAI is also asking Fan and Fred to give HOAs more time to be able to address so many of the new HOA questions. “Five years to ramp-up the requisite building inspections.””

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 21-28, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

7 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #351 2/2 $824K; Lighthouse Point #112 3/2 $864K; Sanibel Moorings #1332 2/2 $874,999; Sanibel Moorings #122 2/2 $1.2M (our listing); Shell Island Beach Club #A5 2/2 $1.2M; Pointe Santo A2 2/2 $1.35M; Sedgemoor #101 3/3.5 $3.995M.

Boardwalk to beach at Sanibel Moorings

1 price change: Gulfside Place #210 2/2 now $1.549M.

6 new sales: Sundial #I402 1/1 listed at $659K, Mariner Pointe #421 2/2.5 listed at $739.9K, Sunset South #11C 2/2 listed at $1.095M, Sand Pointe #218 2/2 listed at $1.099M, Sundial #M303 2/2 listed at $1.249M (our listing), Pointe Santo #A2 2/2 listed at $1.35M.

To beach from Sundial East

 

2 closed sales: Nutmeg Village #308 2/2 $1.225M, Gulfside Place 124 2/2 $1.45M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 645 Oliva St 3/3 $1.1M, 593 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 $1.395M, 5802 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/3.5 $1.495M, 4717 Rue Belle Mer 3/3 $4.95M.

No price changes.

5 new sales: 2030 Sunrise Cir 3/3 listed at $1.625M, 489 Sawgrass Pl 5/5 listed at $2.15M, 1266 Par View Dr 4/4 listed at $2.295M, 435 Bella Vista Way E 3/3 listed at $5.2M, 3767 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed at $7.5M.

3 closed sales: 6429 Pine Ave 3/2 $869K, 1943 Sanibel Bayous Rd 3/3 $1.125M, 2379 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $2.495M (our buyer).

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Marina Villas #706 2/2 $950K.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 14865 Mango Ct 2/2 listed at $1.295M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday. Stay warm! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Another Wild Week in the Real Estate World

Posted on by
Reply

As you probably have seen on the news, Southwest Florida received local and national weather alerts early Sunday morning when the cool front passing through showed signs of rotation and tornado activity. With significant damage on the mainland along a stretch beginning just north of the outlet mall, it was a surprise that here on the islands, there was essentially no damage. Astounding also that the tornado was only on the ground for a few minutes and could create so much devastation. Always heed those weather alerts!

At SanibelSusan Realty

At the office, our two closings coming up early next week are in good shape, while several others occurring later also are finalizing action items. Our worry is what do we sell when inventory is gone and there is nothing left to sell. Below is an update of island inventory today. (Data from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service as of Jan 21, 2022.) On Sanibel, just 13 condos, 15 homes, and 4 lots for sale. On Captiva, 4 condos and 7 homes.

 

 

Status

 SANIBEL CAPTIVA
Condos Homes Lots Condos Homes Lots
# Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $
For sale 13 1,134,446 15 3,015,800 16 542,937 4 2,672,250 7 6,940,714 0 N/A
Under contract 23 995,582 33 1,596,606 9 833,444 3 1,073,000 4 4,370,750 0 N/A
Sold to-date 2022 9 902,666 12 1,539,583 1 640,000 1 1,075,000 0 N/A 0 N/A
Sold 2021 287 875,127 355 1,341,881 69 698,862 64 1,150,373 44 2,988,520 2 2,950,000

The meeting I had last Saturday with condo owners resulted in a new listing. With inventory so low, it is no surprise that we have received many inquiries. In a normal market selling quickly could be a challenge as there is a paying guest there for an extended visit. This market is hardly normal, though. Sight-unseen offers are not unusual.

Early in this week, within hours of its posting on MLS, I wrote an offer on a condo in another complex. It provides another good example of how hot the market is. These buyers are not in town, but would like the opportunity to have an inspection, so the offer was written on the “as is” contract with significant deposits, willingness to honor future rental bookings, and at just under asking price (which was $50K+ more than the last comparable recent sale in the same community). Listing agent said we lost out that night to multiple cash offers, several over asking price.

The same situation is happening all over the state. This week, a FB friend and long-time Realtor® on the other coast, posted what is a great example of how a transparent caring Realtor® works. He said this note recently was sent to him after an offer submitted:

“I am very sorry to have to tell you that the seller selected another offer. We received 66 offers. I saw how much each buyer loved this house and wanted it to be theirs. Everyone submitted excellent offers. In another market, your offer price would have sufficed to secure the house. Unfortunately, this real estate market, with a lack of inventory and high buyer demand, makes it very, very competitive. I feel for each and every one of you. I had my own buyers who didn’t get this house. I know how hard it is for buyers now. We just never know who our competition will be. In this case, the median offer price was $440,000. This means that 33 houses offered less than $440,000 and 33 houses offered more than $440,000. We received 10 offers at $450,000. The winning offer was higher and cash. It was hard to beat. If by some chance the property becomes back on the market, I will immediately let you know. I thank you for your interest in this house and for your offer. I hope you find your new home soon.”

So, for those thinking of buying now, particularly in Florida, it is essential that you act fast and have the best terms in your offer.

The details on the activity since last Friday in the islands MLS are after a couple of news items below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Our Association Executive Bill Robinson & RPAC Committee Co-Chair Dave Arter with the awards.

Congratulations to our local Association of Realtors®.

Wednesday night at the Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings at the state PAC Awards Reception, the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association won several awards – Highest Total Cash by a Small Board, Highest Percentage of Goal by a Small Board, and Highest Participate Rate by a Small Board.

Congratulations to our Associations and the others who took home awards.

Florida Realtors Mid-Winter Business Meetings

I found a few minutes this morning to Zoom in on the Florida Realtors® Legal and Professional Standards Update meeting taking place at the state Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando. You probably know that I love contract details so didn’t hear anything new there, but did find it interesting when Marcia Tabak, Florida Realtors® Deputy Legal Counsel provided some details on the increase in Florida real estate licenses this year.

If you didn’t already know, Florida was – and still is – the state with the most Realtors®, sometime years jockeying back and forth with California on which one has the most. Marcia said that today, DBPR (Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation) reports that over 450,000 state licenses have been issued. Of those licenses, 218,000 are for real estate sales associates (like Dave, Lisa, and Elise), 22,000 are broker associates, and 42,000 are brokers (like me).

According to the Florida Real Estate Commission, in December, 4,760 applicants took the test for a real estate license here. That’s an increase from the previous year. Anyone wanting to check on a licensee status can do that at DBPR’s website, www.MyFloridaLicense.com.

Age is Just a Number

Another tidbit that I heard today is that the average age in Florida is 42. That’s not a new number, but illustrates that Florida is not just for retirees. In fact, with the increase in Florida sales during the pandemic, that number may be getting smaller. FYI, the highest average age is in my home state of Maine, where it is a little more than age 45. Come to Florida where age is just a number, more specifically to the islands where outdoor life is enjoyed year-‘round.

New Eats on the Island

Today is the grand opening of Tutti Pazzi in the former location of Matzaluna Italian Kitchen at 1200 Periwinkle Way.

Advertised as a family-friendly Italian kitchen serving pasta, seafood, and pizza, the locals who attended their soft opening Wed night, said the food is fabulous.

So, be sure and try out some of the new restaurants on Sanibel.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 14-21, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #584 2/2 $895K, Sundial #M303 2/2 $1.249M (our listing). (A couple of pix by our photographer Jim Anderson with JMA Photography below. The first an aerial of Sundial Resort, followed by the path to the beach.)

No price changes.

5 new sales: Kimball Lodge #303 1/2 listed at $795K; Blind Pass #F203 3/2 listed at $839,555; Sundial #G104 2/2 listed at $875K; Sandalfoot #5A2 2/2 listed at $1.275M; Cyprina Beach #7 3/3 listed at $1.749M.

6 closed sales: Blind Pass #E103 3/3 $775K, Kimball Lodge #303 1/2 $795K, Sanibel Inn #3421 2/2 $900K, Lighthouse Point #212 3/2 $929K, Pointe Santo #A21 2/2 $1.15M, Sundial #R402 2/2 $1.2M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 4563 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 $1.449M, 489 Sawgrass Pl 5/5 $2.15M.

1 price change: 1398 Jamaica Dr 2/2 now $895K.

1 new sale: 9472 Balsa Ct 2/2 listed at $765K.

6 closed sales: 804 Rabbit Rd 2/1 $490K, 2114 Egret Cir 3/2 $773K, 966 Whelk Dr 3/2 $1.33M, 1347 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $1.4M, 856 Limpet Dr 4/2.5 $2M, 699 Anchor Dr 4/4 $2.395M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

4 new sales: 1332 Eagle Run Dr listed at $499K, 638 Lake Murex Cir listed at $565K, 3304 Saint Kilda Rd listed at $599K, 4767 Tradewinds Dr listed at $2.149M.

No closed sales.

Captiva

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Read On to Find Out Why the Magic Number Today is 12

Posted on by
Reply

It is that time of the year when Floridians are especially grateful to be here. Though a cool front sometimes comes through in the winter, the weather here sure tops what is happening elsewhere.

One of those fronts just came through the islands. Though sunny and bright, it is breezy with temperatures only up into the high 60’s. Do visitors still fill the bike paths and beaches in their shorts and tee-shirts, “yes”. Meanwhile, locals are enjoying more fresh air and relish a chance to wear their long sleeves and an occasional sweater or jacket.

At the office, we continue to finalize action items for our upcoming closings and get ready for our big annual inventory mailing. If you are not already on our mailing list and want a copy of this report, please send your request to Susan@SanibelSusan.com. We update the islands residential inventory list (Sanibel & Captiva condos, homes, & lots) every weekend, so have it available anytime and email it often, but the bulk hardcopy mailing only goes out once a year (saving trees & $). It will go out in early February. (The data is from the local Multiple Listing Services as well as the county tax records.)

Yesterday afternoon, teammate Dave listed his in-laws off-island investment property. He probably set a record for a quick sale. Following several immediate inquiries/offers, he had it successfully under contract by 8 p.m.

So, as we continue to market for new listings, today the magic inventory number is 12. According to the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing service, now there are just 12 condos and 12 homes for sale on Sanibel, while on Captiva, there are 12 in total (4 condos plus 8 homes).

With most colleagues having buyers waiting in the wings, it is tough convincing those prospects that it is going to take a very long time for supply to meet demand. Meanwhile, the strong sellers’ market continues. I am meeting with condo owners tomorrow. Hopefully a new listing follows.

Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings

Last Friday, I attended the Florida Realtors® Resort and Second Home Think Tank meeting via Zoom. During that meeting, Kate Chunka, Vice Present of Industry Engagement at “Visit Florida” provided an update on that agency’s efforts including some interesting statistics. She said that every dollar spent results in $3.27 in tax revenue. Nearly 40% of that in 2020 was the impact of the pandemic on tourism with the third quarter last year exceeding any previous year. In 2021, from first through third quarter, 91.5 million visitors came to Florida. Numbers now are starting to exceed 2019 which was the highest recorded ever. For FY 2022-2023, a $50 million budget has been recommended.

Next, Florida Realtors® Vice President of Law/Policy and General Counsel, Juana Watkins provided an update on the legal options to address local short-term rental ordinance. That has become a huge problem in some areas. Luckily Sanibel and Captiva are proactive in that regard.

A legislative update then was provided by Andy Gonzalez, Florida Realtors® Public Policy Representative. He said, this week legislators are back in session in Tallahassee. On the Senate agenda is a discussion regarding short-term rentals.

He asked Realtor® Broker Marilue Maris from Walton County in the Panhandle to tell us how access to the gulf there is regulated. She described how beach access and use by the public is limited to only the areas of “wet” sand, with security guards sometimes patrolling to ensure that non-property owners don’t settle their chairs or blankets in dry areas. Wow!

Next week, I will be attending a “Florida Real Estate Trends” update by Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. He is scheduled to update policymakers, residents, and Realtors® on what is ahead in 2022. Real estate drives Florida’s economy and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its second year, it sure would be nice to know what lies ahead.

Also on the agenda next week are the Forms Content Committee meeting, and Legal and Professional Standards Update – also good stuff to stay up on.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Tuesday was the first 2022 meeting of the local Association’s Professional Development Committee. Many educational classes for members already are scheduled with the focus of this meeting speakers for the upcoming monthly membership meetings. The first of those is February 24.

Our annual Realtors® lnstallation and Awards Breakfast was early yesterday at The Community House. Attendance was lighter than in normal times, but it was great to see many familiar faces in-person for the first time in more than two years.

Congratulations to the incoming Board of Directors and Officers (shown in the Association photo above) and the many “of the year” awards including 2021 Honor Society recipients (my 29th year).

Though 2021 was a record one for island sales, we all hope that 2022 will be safer, less stressful – and that there will be more product to sell. The details on the activity posted since last Friday in the islands MLS are below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 7‑14, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sundial #G104 2/2 $875K.

2 price changes: Mariner Pointe #421 2/2.5 now $759K, Sunset South #11C 2/2 now $1.095M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Pointe Santo #C3 3/2 $1.095M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 3324 Saint Kilda Rd 4/4 now $2.995M.

9 new sales: 804 Rabbit Rd 2/1 listed at $499K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $925K, 1133 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $945K, 1251 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 listed at $1.05M, 4737 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 listed at $1.6M, 719 Periwinkle Way 4/3 listed at $1.895M, 500 Kinzie Island Ct 3/3 listed at $2.295M, 5415 Osprey Ct 3/3 listed at $2.495M, 1360 Eagle Run Dr 5/3.5 listed at $2.695M.

1 closed sale: 1278 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $1.526M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 845 Pyrula Ave 525K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 3308 Saint Kilda Rd $640K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Land End Village #1659 2/2 now $1.345M.

1 new sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2236 2/2 listed at $1.3M.

1 closed sale: Gulf Beach Villas #2122 2/2 $1.075M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 57 Sandpiper Ct 2/2 listed at $1.399M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Enjoy your weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Just Another January Friday on Sunny Sanibel Island

Posted on by
Reply

Following up on grumblings last week about heavy traffic, there was a huge reprieve on Monday after holiday visitors left and Lee County Schools reopened. As teammates reminded, there usually is a 2+week window after New Year’s until traffic picks up with more snowbird returns. Then it should be busy again through February and March, or until Easter.

Weather-wise, as islanders watched much of the country experience snow and freezing cold, a cool front passed through Florida Sunday night. That resulted in us enjoying lower humidity and breezy sweater weather both Monday and Tuesday. The forecaster now says the muggy meter is amping up again with warm weather expected until the next cool front which is scheduled to arrive next week when it again may dip into the low 70’s during the day. That’s the best winter weather!

I took a quick spin down to the lighthouse this afternoon on my way back to the office. Christmas décor is gone and bay/gulf waters are looking good. Here are a few pix from 1:30 p.m. when my car said the temperature was 78 degrees F.

Real Estate Scoop

At SanibelSusan Realty, teammate Dave had a busy week accompanying home inspections both Monday and Tuesday, followed by a contractor visit to one of the properties today. With many year-end closings and our island inventory list updated, we all have been working on the database for our big annual mailout which we hope to send out later this month.

Meanwhile, we are working on closing activities for our five sales and beating the bushes looking for new listings. As of this afternoon, according to the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service, there are just 12 condos, 20 homes, and 19 lots for sale on Sanibel – even fewer on Captiva, just four condos and eight homes for sale.

At the state level, Florida Realtors® 2022 Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando are coming up. Many of the meetings again this year are being offered via Zoom as well as in person. I will be attending the Resort and Second Home Think Tank later today, and next week will be at the Forms Content Committee Meeting and the Legal and Professional Standards Update.

On Sanibel, our annual Association of Realtors® lnstallation and Awards Breakfast is next Thursday at The Community House.

The action posted since last Friday in the islands MLS follows a couple of news items below.

Buyers Who Waited for Lower Prices May Regret It

Here’s an article posted at FloridaRealtors® on-line on Dec 20, 2021 and sourced to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

“Some buyers postponed searches, assuming prices would drop as they did in the last recession. But now homes they once considered are financially out of reach.

“FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – As South Florida home prices spiked during the pandemic, some people decided to put their home shopping on pause in the hopes that prices might drop, a decision they are coming to regret.

“Now, a year-and-a-half into record price growth and dwindling inventory, non-buyers are stuck in a precarious situation: they want to buy but are facing higher prices than they did when they first started searching, and they’re finding themselves at risk of being priced out of the South Florida real estate market…. Homes prices jumped, no slowdown in sight.

“Homes prices skyrocketed in South Florida during the pandemic, as intense demand from out of state buyers dovetailed with historically low inventory to create an intense seller’s market where buyers were often faced with paying over asking price and losing out in bidding wars.

“In a market where it’s common for buyers to lose out and face multiple bidding wars, it can cause home shoppers to get discouraged and more hesitant to buy, explained Brian Pearl, principal agent with the Pearl Antonacci Group in Boca Raton. “I’ve had buyers regret waiting more recently, given that the market hasn’t slowed down like they thought it would by now,” he added.

“He’s not the only Realtor to have clients face this issue. Jeff Creegan with Re/MAX Services in Boca Raton said about 30-40% of his clients in the last year end up trying to wait out the housing market. Many were wary of buying in the spring or even last summer as they watched prices skyrocket, only to see them rise even more as the year comes to a close. The overall sentiment, he said, is that they made a mistake in trying to wait out the market.

“Now, as they begin to look again, buyers say they are greeted with homes that are $100,000 more expensive. As a result, Creegan said, “They are looking in different markets, like in Southwest Florida or more affordable markets.”

“In February of 2021, the median sale price of a home in Miami Dade County was $450,000, a 21% increase from the year before, according to numbers from the Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Realtors. For Broward County, the median sale price of a home was $433,000, a 12% increase from the year before. For Palm Beach County, the median sale price of a home was $450,000, a 24% increase from the year prior.

“Flash forward to October of 2021, when median sale prices rose 19% from the year before in Palm Beach County to $500,000 in October. For Broward County, the median sale price of a home was $489,000 in October, a 17.8% annual increase. In Miami Dade County, the numbers shot up 12.6% to $490,000 for October….

“The housing crash of 2007 is likely still fresh in a lot of potential buyers’ mind, noted Eli Beracha, director of the Hollo School of Real Estate at Florida International University, and is potentially one of the reasons that they are trying to wait out the housing market. Beracha also noted, however, that the forces fueling this housing market are different. “We had an excess of supply last time [in 2007]; we don’t have that this time. If you don’t have excess supply, it’s hard for the market to correct in a significant way.” In other words, he does not see a dramatic bust in our future.

“Out-of-state home shopper Dr. Ketang Modi, his wife and two daughters are making the move from New Jersey to Broward County and are looking for a home that is around 4,500 square feet with a minimum of four bedrooms. When they searched previously, they looked at homes in a community in Davie that were priced around $1.2 million, and now, four months later, prices are hitting $1.6 million, prompting him and his family to consider renting to wait out the market. “Everything is overpriced,” he lamented. “I’m not sure when there will be a correction or when prices will stabilize.””

Expected Market Drivers in 2022

Several real estate forecasters have published their 2-cents worth on what 2022 will bring to the business. Here are some favorites that likely apply to real estate on Sanibel & Captiva.

International Buyers – For years, Florida has been a favored destination for international buyers, mostly those from Canada and Europe. That trend came to an abrupt stop with COVID travel restrictions in early 2020. Now that borders are reopening, a surge of international buying is expected with more action expected than in the past two years. Florida is the top state for wealthy individuals and families who want to acquire residences outside their home country.

Listings from Baby Boomers – Demand for homes is expected to continue to outpace supply. Nationally, boomers (those 55 to 75) own 42% of homes. With many facing health issues, including mobility, which can impact their ability to live independently. This generation controls the single-family home inventory with a huge portion of these homes coming on the market in the next few years.

Affordability – Gen Z and millennials are posed to enter Florida’s housing market – provided they can afford it. In the past two years, real estate prices have risen dramatically with no sign of a downturn in 2022. Many prospective buyers – all ages – already are finding they are priced out of the island market.

Inflation – Inflation returned to the U.S. economy in 2021. From construction materials to home appliances and automobiles, supply chain shortages are pushing prices up for consumers. A global energy shortage is also increasing prices of gasoline, oil, and natural gas. While some economists expect these pressures to subside in 2022, changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Federal Reserve actions that affect interest and mortgage rates also may affect real estate sales.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 31 – January 7, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Pointe Santo #C26 2/2 $1.279M.

No price changes.

3 new sales: Breakers West #C2 2/2 listed at $749K, Sand Pointe #222 2/2 listed at $1.125M, Tarpon Beach #110 2/2 listed at $1.35M.

5 closed sales: Sundial #H410 1/1 $422.5K, Seashells #43 2/2 $588K, BlindPass #A202 2/2 $610K, Breakers West #C4 2/2 $692K, Sanibel Surfside #213 2/2 $875K.

HOMES

9 new listings: 1948 Roseate Ln 2/2 $769K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $925K, 1133 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $945K, 1398 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $995K, 1251 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $1.05M, 2695 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 $1.895M, 500 Kinzie Island Ct 3/3 $2.295M, 5415 Osprey Ct 3/3 $2.495M, 4322 West Gulf Dr 4/3.5 $3.45M.

No price changes.

4 new sales: 1948 Roseate Ln 2/2 listed at $769K, 1305 Par View Dr 3/4 listed at $1.749M, 2695 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 listed at $1.895M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 listed at $2,999,999.

5 closed sales: 534 Piedmont Rd 3/2.5 $725K, 3840 West Gulf Dr 3/2.5 $1.596M, 1220 Morningside Pl 6/4 $1.8M, 1356 Eagle Run Dr 5/5.5 $2.145M, 927 Kings Crown Dr 3/3.5 $2.295M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2236 2/2 listed at $1.3M.

2 closed sales: Beach Villas #2626 1/1 $684K, Bayside Villas #4306 3/3 $935K.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

It’s Almost 2022 on Sunny Sanibel

Posted on by
Reply

As the sun gets ready to set on another year, why is it always a surprise when the islands are snarled with traffic during Christmas/New Year week? With mostly delightful weather (sunny with daytime temperatures high-70’s to mid-80’s), the causeway has been a slow crawl in the mornings from before the toll booth coming onto the island through the 4-way stop and down Periwinkle Way.

About 3 p.m., the same crawl begins in reverse making it a fun ride home in the evening. It sure appears that more folks have been enjoying things on-island this year.

Today, with holiday closings, there is less traffic and it started out foggy – an unusual occurrence here. It burned off about noon, but more fog is expected tomorrow morning with a cool front forecast to pass through Florida Monday. (That probably means daytime temperatures then will only go into the low 70’s that day.) Otherwise, the next ten days are expected to be sunny and warm.

A summary of the week’s real estate activity is after a couple of news items below. There have been a few more year-end closings so first an updated island inventory table. (Data from Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service as of 12/31/21.)

Hard to believe that there are only 19 Sanibel condos/homes for sale and that nearly 700 have gone under contract/sold this year.

 

 

Status

 SANIBEL CAPTIVA
Condos Homes Lots Condos Homes Lots
# Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $
For sale 14 1,160,628 15 2,922,733 19 630,210 4 2,684,750 8 6,248,000 0 N/A
Under contract 27 900,883 31 1,662,258 7 676,840 5 905,600 3 5,361,333 0 N/A
Sold 2021 284 877,655 355 1,341,881 68 703,830 62 1,161,369 44 2,988,520 2 2,950,000

New Year Weekend Happenings

  • San-Cap Motor Club Cars and Coffee Cruise-in – Sat, Jan 1 at Periwinkle Place – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
  • Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society Bird Walk – Sat, Jan 1 on Wildlife Dr at J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge at 9 a.m. Meet in overflow parking lot on left as you enter the Refuge. On a side note, the Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count conducted Sun, Dec 18, with 108 participants counted a total of 10,869 birds comprised of 96 different species. The results of the San-Cap count are reported to the National Audubon Society and will become part of the 122nd Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The overall count was below average. Warm temperatures up north may have delayed migrations could have played a part.
  • Sanibel-Captiva Polar Bear Plunge 2022 – Sat, Jan 1 at northside of Sanibel Causeway Island B. (Island closest to Sanibel). Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. At “crack of noon”, swimmers will plunge into the “frigid” (70 degree) water to kick off the new year!
  • Community House Arts & Crafts Show – Sun, Jan 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Lending Rules Threaten Some Condo Sales

By Kerry Smith, the below article was posted Dec 22 on FloridaRealtors®:

“Fannie and Freddie tighten condo-lending rules. Details vary, but they generally won’t back single-unit condo loans if a building has deferred maintenance issues.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – In response to the Surfside tragedy, Freddie Mac announced last week that it would immediately start taking a closer look at a condo development’s maintenance issues before approving individual loans. The change follows a similar announcement made earlier by Fannie Mae. The two mortgage giants back over half of all U.S. loans.

“The new requirements can be complex – Freddie Mac posted its announcement online – but they will generally deny condo and co-op unit loans if the building has deferred maintenance issues, special assessments to fix deferred issues or other problems.

“All changes announced in Freddie Mac’s bulletin “will be effective for Mortgages with Settlement Dates on or after Feb. 28, 2022.” Fannie Mae’s earlier bulletin says its rules will be “effective for whole loans purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2022, and for loans delivered into MBS pools with issue dates on or after Jan. 1, 2022.”

“Both policies “remain in effect until further notice.”

“As part of the process, Fannie Mae lenders will send condo managers a five-page form that must be completely filled out. Under the section that covers insurance types and amounts, it even includes instructions, such as “Do NOT enter ‘contact agent.’” The regulations apply to all condominiums with five or more units, even if that complex is otherwise exempt from review.

“While individual condo buyers may immediately face hurdles getting a loan approved, the tighter policies could have a longer-term impact on entire condominium complexes. Even condo associations without concerning maintenance issues could find that unit owners – without the backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – will have a harder time selling their property if the new paperwork isn’t filled out correctly and returned promptly.

““Loans secured by units in condo and co-op projects with significant deferred maintenance or in projects that have received a directive from a regulatory authority or inspection agency to make repairs due to unsafe conditions are not eligible for purchase,” Fannie Mae states in its Oct. 13 announcement. And those projects “will remain ineligible until the required repairs have been made and documented.”

Fannie Mae considers acceptable documentation to be “a satisfactory engineering or inspection report, certificate of occupancy, or other substantially similar documentation that shows the repairs have been completed in a manner that resolves the building’s safety, soundness, structural integrity, or habitability concerns.”

“While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s changes apply nationwide, Florida may feel a greater impact due to the number of condo buildings across the state. In addition, condo complexes that have deferred maintenance issues or one of the other problems noted won’t be approved for Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-backed loans until those issues have been fixed.”

Updated Captiva Land Development Code & Regulations

Realtors® were noticed this week (see letter below) following amendment approvals to Captiva’s land development code by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. The new code revisions are shown below in red while some rule reminders are included too:

“CAPTIVA COMMUNITY PANEL

P.O. Box 72, Captiva, FL 33924-0072

“Dear Captiva Property Owners and Companies Doing Business on Captiva:

“The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has just approved amendments to the Captiva land development code. These changes were recommended by the Captiva Community Panel and they will keep our Village beaches pristine at the end of each day, protect our dark skies and reduce unnecessary light trespass onto neighboring properties, protect our bicyclists and pedestrians from dangerous conditions caused by overgrown vegetation on Captiva Drive, and reduce the number of contractor, design professional and real estate signs on our islands.

“It is important that all of us who live and work on Captiva review these new updates to the code as well as existing provisions which protect and preserve our fragile barrier island. The Panel believes in the power of community and in voluntary compliance with our codes and ordinances. Enforcement on Captiva should be necessary only as a last resort.

“To assist us, the Panel has summarized the new code provisions (in red) and reminds everyone of some of the existing regulations that apply to Captiva (in black). Please remember that Captiva is an unincorporated part of the Lee County and that many Lee County regulations (in addition to the Captiva-specific rules) apply to Captiva. We ask everyone to comply with them all.

“Beach Furniture and Equipment

All beach furniture and equipment when not in use and unoccupied must be removed from the beach between 9:00 p.m. and 8 a.m. at all times of the year between Alison Hagerup Park and the south end of Wiles Drive. Beach furniture and equipment not removed shall be considered abandoned property and subject to removal.

Remember: A similar rule applies to the rest of Captiva’s beaches during turtle season – from May 1 to October 31.

“Outdoor Lighting

            All new outdoor lighting, including landscape spotlights, must be hooded or shielded so that the light source is masked, and does not shine beyond or above the structure, property or highest foliage to be illuminated or spill onto adjacent property. Fixtures attached to poles, trees or buildings must also be hooded or shielded, shall be no more than 15 feet above grade, and directed downward. No new or existing lights may be aimed, directed, focused onto adjacent property, or allowed to cause direct light or glare to be projected onto adjacent property. Seasonal decorations are permitted for up to 60 days per year.

“Captiva Drive Landscaping

No vegetation shall be allowed to grow on Captiva Drive or its paved shoulder. A setback of at least 2 feet from the edge of the pavement must be maintained at all times for all vegetation below the height of 8 feet.

“Signs on Captiva

            All residential identification signs shall not exceed 6 square feet. Remember: The height of these signs may not exceed 4 feet above grade. If illuminated, the lights must shine downward and wattage may not exceed 36 watts per sign. Uplighting is prohibited and approval for electric hookup to illuminate a new sign must be obtained from Lee County.

All contractor, subcontractor, or design professional signs shall not exceed 6 square feet. There may be no more than 2 signs per property and they must be removed within 10 days of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance. Remember: Any design professional, landscaper or contractor signs not located at a work site under construction are prohibited and must be removed.

All real estate signs advertising a property for sale or rent in a residential neighborhood may not exceed 2 square feet in size with the bottom edge of the sign no more than 12 inches above the ground. A property is limited to one real estate sign at any given time.

Remember: Sandwich signs, banner signs, pennants, flying signs and neon signs are prohibited on Captiva. (There are some exceptions for short-term special events.)

“DON’T FORGET

            Rentals: Residential dwelling units cannot be rented for less than a week on Captiva. The one-week minimum does not apply to rooms in hotels and motels.

Golf Carts: Golf carts can operate between South Seas and ‘Tween Waters, and at night with the required lights and equipment. But no one can operate a golf cart on Captiva without a valid driver’s license.

Parking: Parking on all Captiva streets is prohibited.

Littering: It is unlawful for any person to place litter on a street, beach, or waterway on Captiva. Litter includes cans, bottles, boxes, straws, paper, and cigarette butts.

Open Containers: It is illegal to carry an open alcoholic beverage or drink any alcoholic beverage on a street, sidewalk, beach, or parking lot on Captiva. It is also illegal to have an open container of an alcoholic beverage while a passenger in a car or on a golf cart.

Dunes: No person may harm or destroy a dune or dune vegetation on Captiva, or harass, molest or disturb wildlife. And no one may light or maintain any open fire on the beach.

Building Height Restrictions: Captiva has very strict building height restrictions and requirements from which no variances or deviations can be permitted. Anyone planning construction should review these regulations carefully.

“Please remember: This letter only summarizes the new regulations – and only lists some of the existing ones. If any of them apply to you, it is important to review the full text of the regulation. Amendments to our Noise, Fertilizer, Parking, Golf Cart and Septic regulations have been presented to the County for future adoption.

“2021 CAPTIVA COMMUNITY PANEL

Members: Ann Brady – Jay Brown – Ken Gill – John Jensen – Mike Kelly – Linda Laird

Mike Lanigan – Tony Lapi – R. Bruce McDonald – David Mintz – Bob Walter”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 24-31, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Pointe Santo #D41 2/2 $1.45M.

1 price change: Gulfside Place #117 2/2 now $1.789M.

3 new sales: Blind Pass #D102 2/2 listed at $625K, Sanibel Moorings #1132 2/2 listed at $799K, Pointe Santo #D37 2/2 listed at $1.395M.

3 closed sales: Captains Walk #B4 2/2 $510K, Loggerhead Cay #422 2/2 $769.9K, Sedgemoor #205 3/4 $4.27M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 2114 Egret Cir 3/2 $769K.

No price changes.

4 new sales: 9217 Dimmick Dr 3/2 listed at $699K, 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 listed at $865K, 1347 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed at $1.498M, 2711 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 listed at $1.595M.

9 closed sales:  1667 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/1.5 $650K, 1841 Ibis Ln 2/2 $680K, 4226 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $852K, 2539 Coconut Dr 2/2 $1.1M, 1585 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $1.2M, 1410 Sanderling Cir 3/2 $1.2M, 737 Periwinkle Way 3/3 $1.9M, 807 Limpet Dr 3/2 $2.15M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 $2.9M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5320 3/3 $1M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 16897 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 listed at $4.989M, 11548 Wightman Ln 4/4.5 listed at $7.5M.

1 closed sale: 15300 Captiva Dr 9/7 $6.19M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Happy New Year! Wishing your good health & safety, happiness & colorful sunsets in 2022!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

The SanibelSusan Team is Grateful! Another Listing Sold Christmas Eve Morning!

Posted on by
Reply

After a couple of breezy days earlier in the week, the cool front now has passed through Florida. It caused more winter-like temperatures with lows into the 60’s both Tues and Wed nights, while daytime temps barely got into the 70’s. Low humidity too, which is a welcome change.

The forecasters say that today through Christmas and the days after, island temperatures again will reach into the 80’s. I just drove up Periwinkle and my car says it’s 75 degrees at 1 p.m. Christmas Eve. Great weather for a tropical holiday! Guess, we can save our holiday sweaters for another year.

This week and next, there are no Realtor® meetings/caravans scheduled, but teammate Dave held another Open House at our Sealoft Village listing just before it went under contract Tues. It was a busy week for all of our listings, with a nice closing on Monday and multiple offers on the others.

By this morning all of them are under contract. One condo sold by a Sanibel Realtor®, another by one from Ft. Myers, while I was the lucky one to put our last listing under contract. What a great Christmas Eve Day! We are thankful

It looks like this sale surge will continue into 2022. Supply and demand are in control with demand high and supply so limited. The SanibelSusan Team doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. Prospective buyers on the sidelines waiting for the market to normalize, may find that this is the new normal. We just hope we can find enough new listings to satisfy their needs.

The week’s details about the action in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follow a couple of news items below. First another update of island inventory today based on data from the islands MLS.

On Sanibel, just 53 properties (including condos, homes, & lots) are for sale,15 on Captiva. Year-to-date, 695 Sanibel properties have sold/closed, 106 on Captiva, plus another 69 are under contract on Sanibel, 7 on Captiva. Never, ever has the market been like this!

 

 

 

Status

 SANIBEL CAPTIVA
Condos Homes Lots Condos Homes Lots
# Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $ # Avg $
For sale 16 1,103,050 18 2,644.111 19 630,210 4 2,684,750 11 6,247,545 0 N/A
Under contract 26 1,011,144 36 1,691,027 7 676,840 6 913,000 1 3,595,000 0 N/A
Sold to 12/24/21 281 867,274 346 1,340,276 68 703,830 61 1,164,014 43 2,914,067 2 2,950,000
Sold 2020 192 733,876 290 954,718 23 606,233 47 821,713 27 2,923,148 4 2,537,500
Sold 2005 232 758,507 260 1,028,584 68 496,726 45 863,642 31 2,309,758 0 N/A

Shell Museum Announces New Classes

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently announced a new 2022 class lineup for adults. Taught by museum Curator and Science Director Dr Jose H. Leal, senior marine biologist Rebecca Mensch, and professor of drawing with Florida Gulf Coast university Ehren Gerhard, the spring lineup includes:

  • Feb 10 – Fantastic Shells & Where to Find Them
  • Mar 2 – San Carlos Bay – Bunche Beach Marine Biology & Field Lab
  • Mar 17 – Biodiversity & Taxonomy of Molusks
  • Mar 31 – Drawing & Illustrating Shells
  • Apr 13 – Shell Morphology: Understanding Shell Descriptions

Also, on the 4th Tues of each month January through June, beginning at 5:30 p.m. after the museum, closes, they are offering “After Hours in the Aquariums” which will enable participants to experience the aquariums and marine life of the Living Gallery in an interactive program. Program tickets will include admission, tour, snacks, choice of beverage, and one museum pass redeemable for a future visit. Maximum capacity per event is 15 attendees, registration required at www.ShelMuseum.org/after-hours. Or for the classes, register at www.ShellMuseum.org/classes.

Living Shoreline Structure Completed on Woodring Rd

In their Wed, e-mail update, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) posted a link to this article:

“Mangrove wetland habitats lining Southwest Florida’s coastlines are highly effective in diminishing wave action and damage from high winds. They also trap pollutants and provide crucial habitat for a host of sea life, including the endangered small-tooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). When biologists notice areas of mangrove-covered shorelines disappearing from erosion, it is a cause for serious concern.

“Nearly 18 months ago, a Dutch marine biologist contacted SCCF about designing, funding, and installing a pilot project on Sanibel to protect mangroves threatened by erosion. This project, completely funded by the Dutch government, will provide an alternative to concrete and riprap, which often lead to additional mangrove loss.

“The Netherlands-based company, BESE Products, uses a biodegradable habitat restoration structure made from the production waste of potato chips and french fries. The waste is collected in the Netherlands and sent to Germany, where it is manufactured into a 3D lattice that helps deposit sediment and can protect mangrove seedlings along high-energy shorelines, such as those along Woodring Road. The goal of this project is to protect the mangroves along Woodring Road, a stretch of Sanibel’s shoreline that has been gradually disappearing over the past few decades.

“SCCF Coastal Watch volunteers spent several hours helping prepare these elements for installation. Hundreds of biodegradable sheets needed to be snapped together to form the completed structures. Volunteers also attached thousands of oyster shells to the structures to promote oyster attachment and growth. Volunteers handily completed this tedious task.

“On installation day, Dec. 20, the BESE structures were placed with rebar just off the shoreline along Woodring Road. With the assistance of 15 volunteers planting mangroves, hammering rebar, and transporting the material to the project site, the installation was completed in two hours. The newly installed temporary structures will allow a surface for oysters to start forming a reef and protect the mangroves from high wave action. The BESE structures are expected to last up to five years and leave behind an established oyster and mangrove habitat. If successful, this will be a positive alternative for future restoration projects.”

Florida. Grand Jury Recommends More Condo Inspections

Posted last weekend by Florida Realtors® and sourced to The Associated Press:

“A Grand Jury tasked with recommending Fla. condo law changes in the wake of the Surfside collapse wants more inspections, less corrosion and faster reporting.

“MIAMI (AP) – A Florida grand jury issued a lengthy list of recommendations Wednesday aimed at preventing another condominium collapse like the one that killed 98 people in June, including earlier and more frequent inspections, and better waterproofing.

“In its report on the Surfside collapse, the Miami-Dade County Grand Jury called on state and local officials to require condominium towers to have an initial recertification inspection by an engineer between 10 and 15 years after their construction and every 10 years thereafter. Currently, Miami-Dade and neighboring Broward County require inspections at 40 years. Other Florida counties have no requirement.

“Champlain Towers South, built in 1981, collapsed June 24 as its 40-year recertification was due. No cause of the collapse has been determined, but records show the building had significant structural damage in its underground parking garage. An engineer had already concluded that $15 million of repairs would be required to bring it up to code. Some of the damage at the oceanside building is believed to have come from saltwater in the air.

“The grand jury report laments that the state repealed a requirement imposed in 2008 requiring that all condo towers bigger than three stories be inspected every five years. The requirement was repealed two years after it was imposed because it was deemed too costly. “In hindsight, it would appear the Legislature’s repeal of that statute was a huge mistake!” the report says.

“Other recommendations include:

  • Requiring that condo towers be repainted and waterproofed every 10 years to prevent corrosion.
  • Having local governments increase the size of their building departments, including by hiring more inspectors.
  • Suspending for at least a year the licenses of engineers and architects who submit false or misleading recertification reports and barring their employers from doing such inspections for the same period. Requiring that a second offense result in a license revocation.
  • Requiring architects and engineers who find severe structural damage during an inspection to report it to local officials within 24 hours and not just to the condo board.
  • Requiring condo board owners to take courses on their role in overseeing building maintenance and effectively managing a building’s finances.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 17-24, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #1132 2/2 $799K, Heron at The Sanctuary III #1B 3/2.5 $875K, Sand Pointe #218 2/2 $1.099M, Pointe Santo #D37 2/2 $1.395M.

1 price change: Gulfside Place #210 2/2 now $1.5999M.

7 new sales: Duggers #1 1/1 listed at $475K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A101 2/2 listed at $665K, Donax Village #7 2/2 listed at $699K (our listing), Donax Village #9 2/2 listed at $750K, Sanibel Surfside #213 2/2 listed at $899K, Sealoft Village #109 2/2 listed at $899K (our listing), Tarpon Beach #106 2/2 listed at $1.095M.

2 closed sales: Donax Village #10 1 /2 $555.5K, Atrium #106 2/2 $1.71M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 543 East Gulf Dr 2/2 $3.5M.

No price changes.

3 new sales: 644 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $869K, 3702 Coquina Dr 2/2 listed at $899K, 857 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 listed at $1.795M.

3 closed sales: 719 Durion Ct 3/2 $995K, 375 East Gulf Dr 5/5 $2.9M (our listing), 1320 Seaspray Ln 3/4.5 $3.765M.

Resort-like pool at 375 East Gulf Dr

LOTS

No new listings, price changes.

1 new sale: 860 Lindgren Blvd listed at $1.2M (our listing & sale).

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Beach Villas #2635 3/3 $1.6M.

No price changes, new or closed.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

The team and I wish you a wonderful Christmas and safe/healthy 2022. Though the office will be closed tomorrow and New Year’s Day, we will be on our electronic devices and look forward to another successful year. We appreciate our readers and look forward to their business!

Happy holidays!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

White Christmas Here = Beach Sand & Seashells

Posted on by
Reply
Susan here, reporting that Florida warm weather continued this week with daytime temperatures in the high 70’s to mid-80 degrees F. Island roadways have been getting busier by the day with early arrivals of holiday visitors.
Even after living almost 30 years on Sanibel, it still is a surprise when Christmas sneaks in with temperatures like this. It’s great!

At SanibelSusan Realty

Our phones were noticeably quieter this week, probably with many shopping and concentrating on upcoming celebrations.
The activity posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of other news items below.
Next Friday (Christmas Eve day), the SanibelSusan Team has the day off. Like on New Year’s Eve the following Friday, you still can expect to see an update posted on the week’s happenings. I won’t ever forget the year that I sold a house on Christmas Day, so even when we are not in the office, we are just a phone call or electronic message away, and always respond quickly. Technology is our friend.
This morning, I had a pre-closing walk-through and seller document signing at Superior Title, before the actual buyer walk-through on Sunday, and closing on Monday. Title companies are super busy in December with many sales to finalize before the end of the year. We always appreciate when some of the closing activities can be done before the actual closing day, especially with holidays fast approaching. That will be our last closing of 2021 and a nice one to report next week.

Singing Your Way Into Christmas

Always fun this time of the year to remember some familiar tunes that have been modified to fit our island paradise. Here are a couple of songs that the BIG ARTS Community performed in past years and still apropos now. Bet if you read the words, you start humming.
Sung to the tune of “Winter Wonderland”, words by Doug MacGregor:
Seagulls sing, are you list’nin’?
At the beach, surf is glist’nin’
A beautiful sight, a sunset tonight
Walking’ in a winter wonderland.
Stored away are the snow skis
Here we stay in our short sleeves
You sing a new song, “This is where I belong!
Livin’ in a winter wonderland.
In the yard, we can trim a palm tree,
Then pretend to shovel lots of snow
You’ll say “Do you miss it?”, I’ll say, “no ma’am”
“I feel younger by the minute don’t you know.
Later on, we’ll conspire
And grill some shrimp on the fire
The plans we have made include sun and some shade
Walkin’ in a winter wonderland.
This one with words modified by Mike Bugler is to the tune of ”Here Comes Santa Claus”:
We’re on Sanibel, we’re on Sanibel
We just got here by plane
Escaped the snow & bitter cold
Snowbird is my name
Seashell bringin’, ocean swimmin’
The sun is always real bright
So, let’s give a thought to our friends up north
Whilst we’re having fun tonight
We love Sanibel, we love Sanibel
Warmer down here than Maine
Deck chairs set out on the beach
More sunshine here than rain
Sip that cocktail, spray that suntan
All here just seems just so right
We’re not going north for another few months
So, let’s all have fun tonight

Realtors® Get Update on Water

Yesterday was the December membership breakfast meeting at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®. Chauncey Goss, former Sanibel City Councilor and son of Sanibel’s first mayor was the guest speaker. With a long career in public service, Chauncey currently is Chairman of the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Here are few highlights from his presentation:
SFWMD began in 1949 and expanded as a result of the Water Responsibilities Act of 1972. Today several projects are underway that are part of the solution to improving Florida’s water quality. The C-44 reservoir project which mostly affects the St. Lucie River and Florida’s east coast was just completed in November. The filling of that reservoir has just begun. This is the first major project to be completed in 21 years. (I can attest to that with our local and state Realtors® working hard during that time to keep water issues in the hearts and minds of FL property owners and their legislators. The fight must continue as water is a major ingredient in real estate here.)
Chauncey offered some distance references to put the expansive work of SFWMD in perspective. Would you believe the distance of the waterways they manage is like from going from here to Quebec. Over a million acres are under their management including some big marshes which are wonderful not only for the protection they provide, but for birdwatching!
C-43 is the west coast basin which more greatly affects what happens with water here. That project is expected to complete in May 2022. About 67% complete now, you can see it on the right on Rte 80 on way to LaBelle. The storage reservoir for that project is expected to be completed in Dec 2023 and will be ~3 miles by 6 miles (that’s like half the size of Sanibel).
The third project he highlighted is the FAA Reservoir Project which is in the Everglades Agricultural Area. This one also will have a storm water treatment area. Construction is expected to complete in Sep 2023.
Managing Florida’s water quality requires efforts from multi-agencies and multi-solutions. Chauncey urged attendees to remind their customers to stay attuned to water quality issues.

Islands To Receive $ for Beach Shoreline Projects

At their Dec 7 Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting, funds were approved for local beach and shoreline projects including approximately $2.43 million for Sanibel/Captiva. The commissioners voted to approve interlocal agreements to fund 17 projects across Lee County using more than $4.5 million tourist development tax dollars. Among the agreements, Sanibel will receive $2,070,100 and the Captiva Erosion Control District (CEPD) will get $358,500.
On Sanibel, the City requested and received in full: $1,605,100 for facility beach maintenance, $225,000 for the Bowman’s Beach bridge replacement, $200,000 for changing room rehabilitation at Bowman’s Park, and $40,000 for beach erosion monitoring.
On Captiva, the CEPD requested and received $127,500 for beach park maintenance. It also requested $680,000 for Alison Hagerup parking lot upgrades but was approved for $231,000.
The county reported that beach and shoreline project funding accounts for 26.4% of the proceeds from the tourist development tax assessed on short-term lodging, such as hotels, resorts, and motels. For more info, visit www.leevcb.com/funding-programs/beach-and-shoreline.

New Restaurant Alert

I saw yesterday on Facebook that Bamboo Pan Asian Kitchen just opened. Located on Tarpon Bay Rd behind Tower Gallery, their message said “Come on in, today, Friday, Saturday 4pm to 8 p.m. We will update our hours after the opening 3 days!”.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 10‑17, 2021

Sanibel
CONDOS
1 new listing: Duggers Tropical Cottages #1 1/1 $475K.
No price changes.
2 new sales: Pointe Santo #A26 2/2 listed at $1.35M, Atrium #106 2/2 listed at $1.71M.
5 closed sales: Spanish Cay #F8 2/2 $479K, Blind Pass #C207 2/2.5 $625K, Coquina Beach #3E 2/2 $875K, Sanibel Arms West #E3 2/2 $915K, Junonia #101 3/2 $1.579M.
HOMES
3 new listings: 3702 Coquina Dr 2/2 $899K, 1196 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $899K, 2711 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 $1.595M.
No price changes.
1 new sale: 1195 Sand Castle 3/2.5 listed at $1.225M.
7 closed sales: 5308 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 $779K, 328 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 $925K, 1187 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 $1.2M, 993 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 $1.4M, 924 Pecten Ct 4/4 $1.865M, 1511 Angel Dr 3/3 $1.996M, 4014 West Gulf Dr 4/4 $3.8M.
LOTS
No new listings, price changes, or new sales.
1 closed sale: 5850 Sanibel-Captiva Rd $450K.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings or price changes.
2 new sales: Bayside Villas #4306 3/3 listed at $850K, Bayside Villas #5341 3/3 listed at $969K.
3 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3217 1/1 $405K, Tennis Villas #3120 1/1 $470K, Bayside Villas #4220 1/2 $535K.
HOMES
1 new listing: 11548 Wightman Ln 4/4.5 $7.5M.
No price changes.
1 new sale: 5 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 listed at $3.595M.
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 or participated in these transactions.
Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.
Until Christmas Eve day! Best wishes, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Countin’ Down to Christmas on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on by
Reply

It has been another week of above average temperatures here on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. After several beautiful sunny blue-sky days, it was a surprise to wake up yesterday to heavy fog. It is rare to see any fog here, and especially rare that it did not burn off shortly after sunrise. Local forecasters say this was because of the mild temperatures, light winds, generous humidity (for Dec), and an absence of any strong cold fronts moving in the region. The photo below was taken at the lighthouse as the fog was starting to disappear, about 1 p.m. yesterday.

Daytime temperatures next week also are expected to be warm – into the low 80’s. It was blue sky, sunshine, and 82 degrees F, when I returned to the office today at 1 p.m. Santa better be readying his shorts and sandals.

National Association of Realtors® Economist Reaction to CPI

Always a fan of National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, here is his instant reaction to the Consumer Price Index info posted today (Dec 10, 2021):

“If you are younger than 40 years old, then you never have experienced such high inflation. Consumer prices rose 6.8% in November. We are already well aware of higher food and gasoline prices, up 6% and 58% respectively from a year ago. Rents are up 3% and accelerating at better than 5% on an annualized basis. The heating bill will not be pretty, as natural gas prices are higher by 25%. This rapid inflation is the reason higher mortgage rates are expected in 2022. The Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates to contain them. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is likely to reach 3.7% by the end of 2022 from the current near 3% rate.

“One aspect of inflation is that real estate has proven to be a good hedge. In the 1970’s, a high inflationary period when CPI averaged 7.1% per year, home price gains outpaced inflation with a 9.9% gain. Even when interest rates soared in the 1980’s and thereby crushed home sales, home prices still held up to consumer price inflation: 5.5% versus 5.6%. That’s because rents were soaring. Other decades also show similar patterns. Therefore, for those concerned about the loss in purchasing power of money and savings, be assured that real estate has proven to be a good hedge against inflation.”

At SanibelSusan Realty

SanibelSusan listings had some good action this week, with Dave continuing to hold Open Houses. The activity posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news item below.

The team and I also got some things completed on a couple of sales in our pipeline. The buyers flew in to see the Sanctuary home they are closing on in January. Their timing was perfect as they got to hear details about the property directly from the sellers who built the home. It is not often here that buyers and sellers meet, so it was special.

Dave and I also attended the Gulf Pines home inspection with buyers for the home they put under contract last week. The seller’s agent was there too, while Lucas Stokes with Allied Building Inspection Services performed the inspections. We always recommend inspectors that also are authorized to prepare 4-point inspections and wind mitigation reports needed for insurance. When those inspections are done at the same time as other property inspections, it saves $.

More Island Holiday Fun

New landscaping is going in at Bank of the Islands. Here is a photos of one of their holiday “dog” decorations.

South Seas Island Resort 9th Annual Holiday Stroll – This is when the resort opens to the public and invited to view thousands of twinkling lights, visit Santa, taste s’mores, listen to live music, and watch holiday movie classics. The remaining days open to the public are tonight and tomorrow night, Dec 10 and 11, plus Dec 17 and 18 – from 6 to 9 p.m. Stroll tickets are $10 per adult with proceeds helping Captains for Clean Water. Tickets are complimentary for resort guests.

Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11th Annual Community Carol Sing – Sunday, Dec 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. with seating both outside and inside the chapel. More info at http://www.captivachapel.com.

Sanibel Public Library Again Ranks High

For about 15 years, The Sanibel Library has been at or near the top ranking in Florida. This year is no exception. The state library rankings are out, and the Sanibel Library ranked number one per capita (per 1,000) for circulation (number of books or items borrowed), availability of print, audio, video, and other materials to check out, website visits per capita, and square footage availability. The ratings are based on Florida Library Statistics which measures 82 libraries and library systems.

In addition to the state rankings, the library has won annual Star Library awards (top 200 public libraries of 9,000 measured nationally) from the Library Journal in five of the last 10 years. It has been No 1 on TripAdvisor for “Things to do on Sanibel” and has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence awards.

The library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Visit www.sanlib.org for more information.

Fun Facts About Florida

Perfect Lawn & Pest Control’s November/December 2021 newsletter highlights some fun facts about Florida. I bet they don’t mind if I give them a shout-out and share them:

  • “Florida is similar in size to England and Wales COMBINED.
  • Key West has the highest recorded average temperature in the United States.
  • Florida has 1,197 statue miles of coastline and 663 miles of beaches.
  • No matter where you are in Florida, you are never more than 60 miles from the ocean.
  • Clearwater is the city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita in the United States. It also is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for having the most days of sunshine.
  • Florida is the flattest state in America.
  • Siesta Key beach won an award in 1987 for having the finest whitest beach sand in the world – It is 99% pure quartz crystal and is, therefore, cool to the feet.
  • A woman can be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer in Florida – The salon owner can also be fined.
  • State law dictates that, if an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
  • Doors to public buildings in Florida must open outward – In case of an emergency, exiting the building is more efficient.
  • Walt Disney Resort encompasses 30,500 acres, making it approximately the same size as San Francisco.
  • Can you guess the number of stones in Cinderella’s Castle? Zero – the whole shell of the building is fiberglass.
  • Happy Hour begins at 9 a.m. at the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West.
  • Florida has more golf courses than any state in America and has over 30,000 lakes.
  • An unmarried woman is not permitted to parachute on Sunday. She can face a fine or even be arrested.
  • There are no dinosaur fossils in Florida.
  • Florida’s oldest tree is 3,500 years old and is still standing – It is a cypress tree called “Senator” located just north of Longwood at Big Tree Park.
  • Once a year, thousands of Floridians stand at the state line and toss dead fish into Alabama – It is the annual Mullet toss sponsored by Flora-Bama Beach Bar in Pensacola.
  • In 1996, Miami installed the first bank ATM in Florida specifically designed for rollerbladers who couldn’t go inside the bank.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 3-10, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tarpon Beach #106 2/2 $1.095M, Pointe Santo #D5 2/2 $1.3M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Lighthouse Point #212 3/2 listed at $929K, Nutmeg Village #308 2/2 listed at $1.2499M.

5 closed sales: Sundial #F407 1/1 listed at $569K, Sanibel Arms West #J1 2/2 listed at $679K, Oceans Reach #4C1 2/2 listed at $875K, Sand Pointe #228 2/2 $1.05M, Compass Point #133 3/2 listed at $1.625M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 644 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $869K, 697 Birdie View Pt 3/2 $1.495M.

No price changes.

6 new sales: 1841 Ibis Ln 2/2 listed at $628.5K, 697 Birdie View Pt 3/2 listed at $1.495M, 1245 Par View Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.575M, 853 Tulip Ln 3/2 listed at $1.735M, 1356 Eagle Run Dr 5/5.5 listed at $2.295M, 1304 Seapray Ln 3/2.5 listed at $4.695M.

6 closed sales: 2138 Egret Cir 3/2 $710K, 2548 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $934.5K, 4619 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $976K, 4077 Coquina Dr 3/2 $1.299M, 1665 Sabal Palm Dr 3/2 $2.22M, 1237 Isabel Dr 6/6.5 $3M. 

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 3308 St. Kilda Rd listed at $649K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #4306 3/3 $850K.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 57 Sandpiper Ct 2/2 $1.399M.

No price changes or new,sales.

1 closed sale: 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $2.625M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Enjoy your weekend! Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan