Donax Village 10-03-2025
October Island Happenings
- ·
Sanibel Farmers Market – reopens for the 18th season this weekend, on Sunday, October 5 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on City Hall grounds. It is the place to be every Sunday morning until May. They expect 50 vendors this year. See the Local Roots schedule for all their markets at www.BuyLocalLee.com. A ninth is opening in November. - · Mucky Duck – does not have a restaurant reopening date yet, though they report it is getting closer. They announced this week that their beach-cam is up and running with a new camera on the roof rather than on the patio. It will eventually be adjusted once all the new software is installed. New palm trees will be planted also, but in the meanwhile, if you are looking for that Muck Duck view or sunset, check it out at www.muckyduck.com/beach-cam/·
San-Cap Motor Club Monthly Cruise-Ins – The first season event is tomorrow, Saturday, October 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Periwinkle Place Shops. Running through May, the cruise-ins are back to the first Saturday of each month. They are open to the public. No registration is required. Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill will be serving breakfast tacos and more. More info about joining the Club at www.SanCapMotorClub.com- Sanibel Ball Fields – are expected to be ready mid-October. Remember when they became a tent city for federal and state relief workers following Ian? Then, after restoration and opening briefly in May last year, they were further damaged by Helene and Milton. Now, restored even better, they are sporting more salt-tolerant grass. It won’t be long before these fields are again busy with teams and the public having fun.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors
The local Association of Realtors did not meet this week but the next Caravan next Thursday, October 9.
Wednesday, I attended the Florida Realtors (FR) Forms Update 
Webinar presented by Juana Watkins, FR General Counsel and VP of Law and Public Policy. It covered changes to Flood Disclosures, New Rental Forms, and Listing Agreements.
· The result of Florida statute changes, the Florida Realtors flood disclosure as of October 1 requires that Sellers indicate whether they have or do not have knowledge of flooding damage at a property. Sellers also must further disclose if they received any assistance (federal, state, local, charities, etc.)
· Also as of October 1, any leases for a year or longer must also include a flood disclosure from the landlord.
· By September 30, local MLS’s (Multiple Listing Services) were required by NAR (National Association of Realtors) to update their marketing offerings to comply with new national requirements. The new changes to Florida Realtor Listing Agreements merely now include any local MLS rules.
Since last Friday, two new sales have been posted in the SanCap MLS, a Sanibel condo and a Sanibel home.
This is the time of the year when more listings start coming on the market. The arrival of snowbirds also usually brings more sales. Last quarter and first quarter for decades have recorded the most real estate action on the islands. Bring it on!
Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.
|
SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS |
HOMES |
LOTS |
||||||
|
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
|
|
For sale: |
115 |
950,156 |
211 |
133 |
1,591,386 |
167 |
37 |
1,365,067 |
283 |
|
Under contract |
13 |
827,461 |
191 |
9 |
918,222 |
164 |
1 |
5,999,000 |
491 |
|
Sold to 10/3/25 |
78 |
767,390 |
140 |
126 |
1,369,326 |
137 |
6 |
911,666 |
199 |
|
Sold 2024 |
75 |
818,493 |
117 |
165 |
1,472,757 |
114 |
15 |
1,403,533 |
192 |
|
Sold 2023 |
98 |
955,261 |
65 |
263 |
1,267,390 |
73 |
24 |
920,645 |
76 |
|
Sold 2022 |
123 |
1,136,199 |
44 |
185 |
1,602,745 |
52 |
26 |
779,528 |
223 |
|
Sold 2021 |
287 |
875,127 |
113 |
355 |
1,341,881 |
89 |
69 |
698,862 |
442 |
|
CAPTIVA RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS |
HOMES |
LOTS |
||||||
|
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
|
|
For sale: |
45 |
1,159,611 |
242 |
25 |
6,015,800 |
284 |
2 |
12,000,000 |
502 |
|
Under contract |
2 |
492,000 |
151 |
1 |
1,599,000 |
179 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold to 10/3/25 |
12 |
891,166 |
255 |
7 |
1,625,285 |
119 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2024 |
13 |
1,728,846 |
185 |
8 |
4,887,187 |
182 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2023 |
17 |
834,176 |
98 |
17 |
2,716,647 |
70 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2022 |
28 |
1,458,983 |
52 |
22 |
5,636,386 |
133 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold 2021 |
64 |
1,150,373 |
145 |
44 |
2,988,520 |
261 |
2 |
2,950,000 |
731 |
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity Sep 26-Oct 3
Sanibel
CONDOS
4 new listings: Tennisplace #A33 2/1.5 $399K, Tennisplace #C31 2/2 $470K, Sanibel Shores #A-1 2/2 $599K, Sanibel Arms West #J-7 2/2 $624K.
2 price changes: Heron at The Sanctuary #1-2B 3/3.5 now $1.049M, Sundial #R401 (2/2) now $1,099,999 (SanibelSusan listing).
1 new sale: Tigua Cay #489 3/3.5 listed at $1.999M.
1 closed sale: Sanibel Moorings #822 2/2 $505K.
HOMES
6 new listings: 1714 Atlanta Plaza Dr 4/3 $991,714; 1450-1460 Court Pl 5/4.5 (multi-family) $1.149M, 1682 Sabal Palm Dr 4/2 $1.599M, 1266 Par View Dr 4/4 $2.289M, 1326 Seaspray Ln 4/4.5 $2.495M, 766 Sand Dollar Dr 4/4.5.5 $2,999,999.
6 price changes: 1611 Sand Castle 3/3.5 (1/2 duplex) now $699K, 548 Chert Ct 3/2 now $799K, 3131 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $1.297M, 203 Daniel Dr 3/3 now $1.455M, 865 Birdie View Pt 4/4.5 now $1.799M, 628 Lighthouse Way 4/5.5 now $3.69M.
1 new sale; 4052 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $624,999.
4 closed sales: 1410 Albatross Rd 3/3 $825K, 218 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 $1.03M, 3025 Turtle Gait Ln 3/2 $1.05M, 829 Pyrula Ave 3/3 $1.225M.
LOTS
Nothing to report.
CAPTIVA
CONDOS
1 new listing: Lands End Village #1659 2/2 $1.275M.
No price changes, new, or closed sales.
HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 14865 Mango Ct 2/2 now $1.1M, 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 now $3.95M.
No new or closed sales.
LOTS
Nothing to report.
This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association, or its MLS, may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating in or participated in these transactions.
National Public Lands Day
Bleu Rendezvous French Bistro – reopens for its 11th season on October 9. Call for reservations at 239-565-1608.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend,
Also, we brought the buyer for our commercial condo listing at Lime Tree Center #2, 1640 Periwinkle Way. It closed on Monday.
Sanibel
Sanibel Public Works Department announced that the Periwinkle Way Milling and Resurfacing Project is scheduled to begin on Monday, September 15. The stretch of Periwinkle included is from 500’ west of Casa Ybel Rd to approximately 1/3 mile east of Donax St. The work will begin with drainage repairs along the north side of Periwinkle including the installation of swales and concrete pipes on Main St, Fitzhugh St, Palm St, and Center St. Work hours for the drainage repair work will be between 7 a.m. and 5 p.m.
The local Association of Realtors did not meet this week but hosted their annual three days of continuing education classes required for Florida Realtor license renewals.
Since last Friday, eight new sales have been posted in the SanCap MLS: all on Sanibel, three condos, four homes, and a lot.
Several island businesses have announced they will be briefly closed this month. It is a positive sign that “season” is right around the corner when facilities schedule their annual deep cleans, repairs, and maintenance, with their employees often getting breaks too.
Tarpon Bay Explorers – will be closed September 7-30, with plans to reopen October 1. The closure includes their recreational areas as well as their launch ramp.
The City also announced yesterday that vegetation trimming on Periwinkle Way will begin Monday and is scheduled to complete (weather permitting) by Wednesday, September 17. It will be on both sides of the road, including the shared use path with work to be performed between 7:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Travel with caution.
The Captiva Erosion Protection District advises that Turner Beach Park will be closed to the public, beginning today September 5, for staging equipment and material for the upcoming Captiva Beach Renourishment Project. Soon to begin, construction is scheduled to run continuously 24 hours a day over an estimated 56-day period.
Sanibel Farmers’ Market will reopen for its 18th season on Sunday, October 5 at 9 a.m. with a celebration of cultures from around the world. Vendors and shoppers are invited to show off their heritage with flags, shirts, and attire. Enjoy global flavors, handmade crafts, their colorful flag ceremony, fresh produce, and more. Located on the City Hall back parking lot, Sanibel Farmers Market is every Sunday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through May.
In Lee County TRIM notices were mailed on August 18, making September 12 the deadline for filing a tax appeal. That process is quasi-judicial – meaning hiring an attorney is not required. The process involves the following steps:
With two-thirds of the year over already, below is a summary of closed Sanibel sales year-to-date by primary location, as reported in the Sanibel-Captiva MLS.
The Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce is hosting an inaugural holiday event to promote islands businesses. The Sanibel-Captiva Sunrise Sale will take place tomorrow, Saturday, August 30, from 7.07 a.m. to 2 p.m. Advertised as where the early bird will be most successful, over 45 island businesses are participating. Some will feature exclusive deals, tiered sales, discounts up to 50%, BOGOs, gifts with purchases, giveaways, in-store perks, plus a grand-prize drawing.
Participants are: A Bit of Bailey’s, A Little Adventure, Adventures in Paradise, Adventures in Paradise Outfitters, Beach Daisy, Billy’s Rentals, Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill, Bubbly Latitude, Captiva Curio Cottage, Charlie’s Island Gifts, Coast Clothing, Congress Jewelers, Finnimore’s Cycle Shop, Her Sports Closet, Home by Rachel Pierce, Island Pearl, The Island Store; JRod’s Surf, Fish, & Style; MacIntosh Books & Paper, Nanny’s of Sanibel, On Island, One Island Sanibel, Pierce’s Paw Paradise, Rachel Pierce Art Gallery, Sandy Toes & Bottoms, Sanibel Café, Sanibel Day Spa, Sanibel Pilates & Spa, Sanibel Sole, Sanybel’s Finest, Sea Glass Lane, Shiny Objects, South Seas Outfitters, Stoked Flamingo, Suncatchers Dream, Synergy, Tarpon Bay Explorers, The Bait Box, The Dunes, The Moke & Cabana Club, The Sanibel Sprout, Tiki Jim’s, Tuttles Seahorse Shell Shop, Vero Drapes, Wilford & Lee, Yara’s Shoes & Boutique.
The island Association of Realtors did not meet this week as it was the annual Florida Realtors Convention and Business Meetings in Orlando. I attended several sessions remotely including the summary yesterday by our state CEO Margy Grant, General Counsel, Juana Watkins, & COO Dave Garrison. Florida Realtors is strong in members, financially healthy, leads the industry with a bright strategic plan, and continues to offer outstanding training/education and member benefits.
Locally, a Sanibel-Captiva Caravan Meeting is scheduled for next Thursday, September 4, at 9 a.m. with guest speaker. Matt Simmons, appraiser with Maxwell, Hendry, & Simmons. He will discuss the tax appeal process and contesting property valuation on a TRIM notice.
Enjoy the long weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
At The Village Shops – Over Easy Café & On Island – will both be closed September 8-18 to give their amazing teams a well-deserved break after a challenging year (or three).
To ensure safety and accessibility for boaters, the deteriorating docks will be removed and replaced with new, more durable materials. The concrete boat ramp and walkways will remain in place. While the boat ramp is closed, boaters are encouraged to use the Lee County Punta Rassa Boat Ramp on the mainland adjacent to the Causeway Toll Booth.
On the commercial side, late last Friday, we put our condo listing at Lime Tree Center #2, 1640 Periwinkle Way, under contract, listed at $399K.
Enjoy your weekend,
Lee County notices of proposed property taxes are usually mailed mid-August so be on the lookout for yours if you own one of the 530,000 parcels the county is required to evaluate every year. The Tax Appraiser’s website is easy to maneuver and describes how the process tax works and how market value is determined each January 1.
Lee County announced the ribbon-cutting for the soft opening of the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp and conclusion of FDOT’s causeway project will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 21, followed by the ramp reopening at noon. The limited amenities then available include the ramp, partial docks, parking, and rest rooms. Work will continue for several months with future improvements to include completed dock access, fish cleaning station, landscaping, and additional lighting.
The island Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but next Thursday is our August membership meeting with guest speaker Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau. A caravan of open houses will follow.
Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Roadways and bike paths had little traffic this week, as recovery continues albeit slowly. As Realtors, we often are asked what is happening with repairs or reconstruction at a specific property. Though the island grape vine can be good, it is not always accurate. When I get that question – or a call from a property owner, I look the property up on the City website, 
The County Tax Appraiser website, 
A Bit of Bailey’s – When Week #12 2025 special events as part of “Love Sanibel Back” were posted, it was great to see that A Bit of Bailey’s in the Rabbit Rd commercial center will be open Saturday August 16 at 9 a.m. The new construction of the big store at the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Rd still is expected to begin this fall. In the meantime, A Bit of Bailey’s and their Island Store on Captiva will offer many of the same goodies enjoyed at the former big grocery.
Kona Kai of Sanibel – This charming motel at 1539 Periwinkle Way reopened this week. Offering special rooms rates until the end of September, their business hours are 9;30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 239-472-1001. Having sold this property to the Rodenburg Family in 2010, there was never a doubt in my mind that they would restore and reopen. Nestled in a tropical Hawaiian-style setting with pool, it also borders the Sanibel River. 
Michael Saunders & Company on Sanibel – This has been in the works for weeks but finally official with new real estate signs popping up all over the islands. Michael Saunders & Company, out of Sarasota, and with branch offices throughout the Florida Gulf Coast, purchased the former VIP building and business at 1560 Periwinkle Way. Many VIP friends have transitioned to Michael Sanders and we look forward to doing more sales with them soon. (By the way, Michael Sanders is female with a decades-long great reputation.) Welcome to the islands!
Sanibel
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend,