Wrapping up another week on sunny Sanibel, more winter residents continue to arrive, in addition to some favorite snowbirds – as the white pelicans are back.

Temperatures are still low 80’s most days but fall weather has brought cooler night temperatures (high 60’s) which should be more comfortable for those in their Halloween costumes. Below are a few Sanibel events for that holiday:
- CROW-O-Ween at CROW’s Visitor Education Center today Friday October 22 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Trunk or Treat at the Sanibel School tomorrow Saturday October 23 from 2 to 4 p.m.
- Fall Festival & Candy Carnival at The Community House on Friday October 30 from 4 to 6 p.m.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors
At the Association 2026 Annual Membership Meeting yesterday, the 2027 Board of Directors was elected and announced: President Kelly Huguenin, President-Elect Janka Varmuza, Treasurer Ted Benjamin, Secretary Melanie Holaway, Past President Tina DiCharia, and Directors Marvell Bradley, George Kohlbrenner, Cecilia Liichow, and Milissa Sprecher. Congratulations to all and thank you for your service!
A Sanibel home was open for easy viewing following the meeting. At the Open Caravan Meeting scheduled for next Thursday, the Association annual Halloween event. The guest speaker will be from The Children’s Education Center of the Islands.
Island Real Estate Scoop.
Inventory is picking up, prices on old listings are going down, and winter reservations are growing. All typical signs of late October.
Looking at the SanCap MLS, below is a summary by primary geographic location of the Sanibel homes that have sold year-to-date through October 23. (Note: A listing may fit more than one geographic area but only may have one primary location.)
| Home Location | # | Average Sale Price $ | Average DOM |
| Gulf | 8 | 5,834,000 | 166 |
| Bay | 7 | 3,188,500 | 52 |
| Bayou | 6 | 1,845,500 | 106 |
| Canal | 51 | 1,518,205 | 173 |
| Golf Course | 11 | 1,444,545 | 175 |
| Near Beach | 91 | 1,150,041 | 138 |
| Lake | 7 | 888,500 | 164 |
| Inland | 19 | 816,105 | 197 |
| TOTAL | 200 | 1,499,223 | 152 |
Similarly, for Sanibel condo sales year-to-date:
| Condo Location | # | Average Sale Price $ | Average DOM |
| Gulf (not rental) | 40 | 1,124,912 | 190 |
| Golf | 4 | 817,500 | 388 |
| Gulf (rental) | 39 | 749,153 | 152 |
| Bay | 3 | 611,666 | 188 |
| Near Beach | 9 | 506,611 | 137 |
| River | 3 | 398,333 | 302 |
| Canal | 2 | 331,000 | 436 |
| TOTAL | 100 | 853,300 | 187 |
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been six new residential sales: four Sanibel condos and two Sanibel homes.
During the same time, there have been 12 new residential listings (nine Sanibel homes and three Sanibel condos) and 11 price changes.
Below with data from the island MS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.
| SANIBEL Residential | CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale | 123 | 898,018 | 245 | 111 | 1,691,058 | 164 | 49 | 1,195,274 | 356 |
| Under contract | 8 | 762,118 | 329 | 17 | 1,624,647 | 149 | 2 | 350,000 | 446 |
| Sold to 10/23/26 | 100 | 853,300 | 187 | 200 | 1,499,223 | 152 | 14 | 1,509,571 | 286 |
| Sold 2025 | 104 | 755,564 | 153 | 159 | 1,291,016 | 140 | 7 | 952,857 | 252 |
| Sold 2024 | 75 | 818,493 | 117 | 165 | 1,472,757 | 114 | 15 | 1,403,533 | 192 |
| Sold 2023 | 98 | 955,261 | 65 | 263 | 1,267,390 | 73 | 24 | 920,645 | 76 |
| Sold 2022 | 123 | 1,136,199 | 44 | 185 | 1,602,745 | 52 | 26 | 779,528 | 223 |
| CAPTIVA Residential | CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale | 29 | 1,676,306 | 200 | 26 | 5,503,923 | 374 | 3 | 12,333,333 | 626 |
| Under contract | 2 | 760,000 | 343 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold to 10/23/26 | 31 | 975,190 | 118 | 9 | 4,022,222 | 244 | 1 | 5,000,000 | 320 |
| Sold 2025 | 16 | 931,187 | 214 | 12 | 2,480,375 | 90 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold 2024 | 13 | 1,728,846 | 185 | 8 | 4,887,187 | 182 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold 2023 | 17 | 834,176 | 98 | 17 | 2,716,647 | 70 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold 2022 | 28 | 1,458,983 | 52 | 22 | 5,636,386 | 133 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity October 16-23
Sanibel
CONDOS
3 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #342 2/2 $549K, Oceans Reach #3X4 1/1 $740K, Nutmeg Village #309 2/2 $1.1M.
3 price changes: Captains Walk #C5 2/1 now $379K, Blind Pass #B101 2/2 now $550K,Lighthouse Point #225 2/2 now $699K.
4 new sales: Lighthouse Point #132 2/2 listed at $475K, Compass Point #223 2/2 listed at $699,950; Heron at The Sanctuary #2-2B 3/3.5 listed at $1.05M, Sanddollar #B203 3/2 listed at $1.498M.
No closed sales.
HOMES
9 new listings: 280 Southwinds Dr 4/3.5 $899K, 657 Cardium St 4/3 $930K, 754/756 Donax St (duplex) 4/2 $949K, 1300 Par View Dr 4/2 $976K, 3168 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2.5 $1.295M, 198 Southwinds Dr 3/2 $1.295M, 729 Sand Dollar Dr 4/2 $1.299M, 1034 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 $1.449M, 2388 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $2.495M.
1 back-on-market: 2385 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $2.399M.
4 price changes: 1657 Atlanta Plaza Dr 3/2 now $647K, 5425 Shearwater Dr (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 now $1.095M, 1057 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $1.095M, 1428 Albatross Rd 3/2.5 now $1.225M.
2 new sales: 1377 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 listed at $647K, 2711 Wulfert Rd 5/4.5.5 listed at $1.848M.
2 closed sales: 6007 Clam Bayou Ln 4/4.5 $1.115M, 1460 Middle Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $2.15M.
LOTS
No new listings.
2 price changes: 2486 Wulfert Rd now $280K, 2605 West Gulf Dr now $2.5M.
No new or closed sales.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Captiva Resort Villas (fka Tennis Villas) #3132 2/2 now $600K.
No new or closed sales.
HOMES
No new listings.
1 price change: 11525 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5 now $3.149M.
No new or closed sales.
LOTS
No new listings, price changes or new sales.
1 closed sale: 16548 Captiva Dr $5M.
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 nor in any way responsible for the accuracy. Data maintained by the association, or its MLS, may now reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating in or participated in these transactions.
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Following downpours and rolling waves last Saturday (the effects from Hurricane Isaias), island shelling this week has been great.
Rainy Season Is Over
The island Association of Realtors had another Open Caravan Meeting yesterday. Guest speaker was Appraiser Matt Simmons, Managing Partner with Maxwell, Hendry & Simmons LLC. He spoke on the upcoming UAD 3.6 changes which are a complete redesign of the Uniform Appraisal Dataset, introducing a single dynamic report, replacing all legacy appraisal forms, requiring more granular property info and room-level inspection details, and shifting the industry from static forms to a data-driven reporting standard. On November 2, it becomes mandatory for new appraisals. (On the same subject, this morning Florida Realtors provided a zoom presentation for its Realtors.)
A colleague reminded me this week that though real estate sales often pick up in October, in election years that uptick usually is delayed until after election results are reported. Still there was some activity this week.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Forecast says there is a 50% chance of rain on the island over the weekend but then shows bright and sunny for most of next week beginning with Columbus Day Monday.
It is obvious that snowbirds are coming back. Many will be here until spring, while others will get their property ready for winter use and then head north for the holidays, returning after Christmas. Property owners that rent also may be doing their annual deep cleans, landscaping updates, and fixups. With these arrivals, October often is considered the “welcome” to season month.
The island Association of Realtors had another Open Caravan Meeting yesterday. Guest speaker was Mary Bondurant founder of the San-Cap Pink Project. After the meeting, two Sanibel hones were open for easy viewing. Another Open Caravan is scheduled for next Thursday.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been four new residential sales: two Sanibel homes, a Sanibel condo, and a Sanibel lot.
There was not much change in local weather this week, though according to Mike’s Weather Page, there is a stalled front shown across Florida next week with showers expected, particularly up north. Latest NOAA blend indicates it will be (in Mike’s words) “moist and juicy”. Bet we do not see too much rain on the island, though. Today, it is overcast with no showers yet.
As we happily welcome the month that typically is when real estate business picks up and “season” begins, a cute social media post describes “Why October 2026 Will Be Epic” with:
It was 37 years ago today in 1989 when another step in our plan to move to Sanibel became reality when Dick and I became Realtors in Alexandria, VA. We continued in marine engineering by day and did real estate nights/weekends until we made the move in 1992. There have been changes in this business in those years, plus challenges from hurricanes and more. All opportunities to grow and improve professionally. Grateful for it and that it was our way to get here, make long-lasting connections, and make this community home.
Yesterday, Florida Realtors provided a Zoom presentation on the upcoming Florida vote on Amendment 3.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been 11 new residential sales: eight Sanibel homes, two Sanibel condos, and a Captiva condo.
October 2
2026 was the first time in 112 years that September 21 was reached with zero hurricanes in the Atlantic.
Local Roots Farmers Market on Sanibel begins again for the 2026-27 Season on Sunday October 4. This is their 19th year. As usual the Sanibel markets are on the grounds of City Hall from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. every Sunday through May.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been six new residential sales: four Sanibel homes, a lot on Sanibel, and a lot on Captiva.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend,

Captiva Songwriters Weekend beginning today is part of the Island Hopper Songwriter Fest, a 10-day music festival taking place through September 27 across SW Florida including on Captiva, Cape Coral, downtown Fort Myers, and Fort Myers Beach. More info at
Sanibel Captiva Island Beach Resorts – It was reported in the “Island Reporter” this week that at a recent Captiva Community Panel meeting, Tony Lapi (Chairman of Sanibel Captiva Island Beach Resorts) announced that in addition to Beachview Villas and West Wind Inn being for sale, on October 4, ‘Tween Waters also will formally be available. Tony first purchased ‘Tween Waters in 1976. Next month, it celebrates 50 years of operation with many special activities planned. Huge thanks to Tony Lapi for all he has done for the islands and at these resorts, which also include Castaways.
The market is slow, but with low inventory and a positive storm season, schools reopened, and fall weather setting in, it should be a better last quarter than last year.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been seven new residential sales: five Sanibel homes, a Sanibel condo, and a Captiva condo.

Wednesday, I saw an interesting post by weatherman Matt Devitt. He advised that “there is a large plume of Saharan dust on the way for the Caribbean, parts of Florida and the Gulf into this weekend and next week. The rounds of Saharan dust and the powerful El Nino have led to so far to the lowest tropical activity for the Atlantic in a least 76 years (1950). On that note, no tropical development is expected the next seven days too.”
Dr Thomas Millins, the principal at The Sanibel School, was the guest speaker at the Association’s Open Caravan Meeting yesterday. Some highlights he reported are that student population is up to 212 students (from 167). (Forty percent do not live on the island.) School focus is on academics, community, safety, and family. The School will be hosting a variety of events through the year, including an alumni one in January.
Recently posted on Florida Realtors: “Florida ranked No. 10 nationally in WalletHub’s latest analysis, buoyed by strong scores for quality of life, safety and the economy…Florida ranked…with its strongest showing in quality of life, where it placed No. 3 nationally. The state also ranked No. 11 for safety and No. 17 for its economy. The personal finance company compared states across 51 measures covering affordability, the economy, education and health, quality of life and safety. … Florida’s housing costs remain on the higher side nationally, with WalletHub ranking the state fourth-highest in the county, behind Nevada, Hawaii, and California….”
Sanibel School Events
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there has been just one residential sale, a Captiva condo.
The island Association of Realtors did not meet this week but rather provided the Continuing Education classes that Realtors need to renew their licenses every two years. Thanks to Florida Realtors committee pal Dan Lopez for coming to teach the Core Law, Code of Ethics, and Fair Housing classes. The Environmental Considerations
of Coastal Living class taught by the Sanibel & Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) included time at the Bailey Homestead, SCCF, and on the water with Captiva Cruises,
Other Island News
next door to the Community House. Since July 4th American flags were sponsor purchased to remember the 2,977 lives lost in NY, PA, and DC during the September 11 attacks, 25 years ago. Volunteers prepared and installed the flags They are arranged in alphabetical order by hero name with each flag tagged by name. The Field of Heroes is open daily through September 15. In addition to the display of flags, the City will host a special “Waves of Remembrance 9/11 Morning of Reflection” next Friday September 11 at 8 a.m. at the Community House.
New Sanibel Police Station will be built as the Lee County Board of Commissioners approved an agreement with the City to use a $15M federal grant to fund the project. The City hopes it will be completed in 2029.
Looking at the residential real estate activity posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, there have been five new residential sales: four Sanibel homes and a Captiva condo.
Enjoy the long weekend,








