Yippee, SanibelSusan is happy to report that fall weather really has arrived on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. The high yesterday was only in the low 70’s. Temperatures from now through Thanksgiving are forecast to be in the 60’s at night, topping out in the mid- to high-70’s during the days – perfect weather for the holiday and enjoying the islands.
SanibelSusan Realty Associates
We had another flurry of office activity this week – more listings opened for showing, more open houses, more inquiries. Most years, real estate sales are slow during the holidays – from Thanksgiving until the 1st week in January. Maybe this year will be the different. The island already is filling up with Thanksgiving week visitors and vacationers.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®
Yesterday was the Association’s November general membership meeting, held following an 8 a.m. breakfast at The Sanctuary Clubhouse. Sponsor was Simmons Law Firm. Speaker was Rae Ann Wessel, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) Natural Resource Policy Director.
These breakfast meetings always have a big turn-out and yesterday was no exception. President Joel Goodman announced that the “Fall Into Christmas” fundraiser for Friends Who Care was a big success. By the end of the meeting, additional cash donations for that charity had jumped to almost $3,800.
With “season” here, many new listings were announced, not many sales, but 19 properties were open for the morning caravan that followed the meeting. I viewed a stunning one overlooking Clam Bayou with amazing water and sunset views. (If you are here “in season”, you can usually plan on seeing new listings open Thursday mornings from 9 a.m. until noon. Because of increased winter traffic, the schedule rotates from east-end to west end. With Thanksgiving being next week, the next event is Nov 30 – east end when our new listings on Anchor Drive and at Mariner Pointe will be open.
The activity posted in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday follows a few news items below.
Sanctuary Scoop
Sanctuary Club General Manager & COO, Ken Kouril gave attendees an update on membership. As he said, “if you build it, they will come”.
The Sanctuary is a member-owned club, offering a golf course, racquet sports, fitness, wellness, and an elegant clubhouse with dining and social activities. Club members need not be residents of The Sanctuary neighborhood. Ken advised that last “season” they expected to sell 20 memberships, but sold 32. This year, just two months into season another 17 are gone. It’s definitely a popular spot!
Their premiere offering, the Equity Membership privileges include access to all Club facilities (which were refreshed, remodeled, and renovated summer 2016), a par-72 Championship Arthur Hills-designed golf course, driving range, short game area, putting green, chipping area, golf lessons, priority tee times, and tournament play, a 50,000-sq.ft. clubhouse, world-class dining, four Har Tru tennis courts, four Pickleball courts, and a 5,000-sq.ft. Wellness Center with a sports pool. The Wellness Center includes an 1,800-sq.ft. equipment room housing state-of-the-art cardio and strength training equipment, a dedicated stretching room, a 900-sq.ft. group exercise room for Pilates, yoga, and similar activities, comfortable well-appointed rooms for massage therapy, and a locker room area. Equity members have voting and redemption rights and hold an Equity position in the Club.
SCCF & Water Quality Update
Rae Ann’s slide presentation included a progress report of the status of the EAA (Everglades Agricultural Area) reservoir which works with the CEP (Central Everglades Project). The project was approved by voters in 2000, but now 17 years later, it still has not been built. She noted an earlier FloridaRealtors® study on how water quality affects real estate values, not just within the Caloosahatchee Estuary area, but also inland.
The huge amount of water Florida received this summer, mostly thanks to Hurricane Irma, surpassed all records since those first recorded in 1947. The dark excess freshwater observed near the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, particularly in the bay, resulting from Irma, illustrates how badly alternative outlets and additional water storage areas are needed.
Here’s a little history about Lake Okeechobee and its surrounding dike (thanks to Wikipedia): In the 1910’s the Herbert Hoover Dike was constructed around Lake O. Originally, it was just a small earthen dike. The containment was breached by a storm surge from the Great Miami Hurricane in 1926 and the 1928 Okeechobee Hurricane, killing thousands. After those disasters, Florida State Legislation created the Okeechobee Flood Control District which was authorized to cooperate with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in flood control.
After a personal inspection by President Herbert Hoover, the Corps drafted a new plan which provided for the construction of floodway channels, control gates, and major levees along Lake Okeechobee’s shores. A long-term system was designed for flood control, water conservation, prevention of saltwater intrusion, and preservation of fish and wildlife.
In the 1930’s a larger system of levees was built around the lake. Following heavy rain and flooding from two hurricanes in 1947 (the last time as much rain hit Florida as this year), the dike again was expanded. That expansion in the 1960’s created the current Herbert Hoover Dike. The dike almost completely encloses the lake. The dike now is about 30 feet high on average, but is falling into disrepair.
As SCCF reports, progress is being made on Everglades restoration projects critical to opening the southern end of the Everglades to move water south. Passage of the bill to establish the EAA reservoir will work in tandem with these projects to add water storage capacity south of Lake O to feed needed water to the Everglades and Florida Bay currently dumped to the estuaries.
While the EAA Reservoir does not solve all the problems, it is a major step forward and initial planning for the project has begun. Committee work for the next Florida legislative session also already has begun with the session opening on January 9 (two months earlier than normal because of the upcoming election year). SCCF has a legislation tracker at http://www.sccf.org/our-work/natural-resource-policy/sccfs-2018-legislative-session-tracker. Please follow the legislation and whenever a “call to action” is requested, please act. We all need to stay involved in Florida’s water.
Upcoming Events
Annual Sanibel Thanksgiving Celebration – You-know-who is singing with the BIG ARTS Community Chorus. Hope to see you there. Sunday, Nov 19, at 6:45 p.m. at The Community House with music and song. Sanibel School’s Seahorse Chorale also is singing. Free admission, but please bring a donation for FISH of San-Cap.
Fit-4-Life 10-Year Celebration – Monday, Dec 4 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Sanibel Rec Center, with music, dancing, photo booth, bounce house, drawings, facility tours, cupcakes, and video.
Holiday Tips from LCEC
Four important tips to keep your spirits bright!
- Before you plug in lights, check for frayed wires, damaged sockets, & insulation gaps. Toss & replace any that are damaged.
- Consider LED lights which are cooler & more energy efficient.
- Don’t overload outlets or extension cords.
- Turn off all lighting before leaving the property or going to bed.
Top 10 Airlines Serving Southwest Florida
Here’s a little info about the top ten airlines serving Southwest Florida (from the Oct/Nov 2017 “Gulfshore Business” magazine). All of the airlines mentioned below fly out of Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW), except Allegiant (Punta Gorda Airport). Their number of passengers to Southwest Florida and their headquarters, follow their name.
- Delta, 1.9 million, Atlanta
- Southwest, 1.8 million, Dallas
- American, 1.23 million, Ft Worth, TX
- Allegiant, 992,990, Las Vegas
- JetBlue, 981,000, New York
- United, 725,000, Chicago
- Spirit, 600,000, Ft Lauderdale
- Frontier. 383,000, Denver
- Air Canada, 164,000, Montreal
- Sun Country, 132,000, Minneapolis
2018 Sanibel Beach Parking Permits Available Now
On Wed, the 2018 Sanibel Beach Parking Permits became available at the Sanibel Recreation Center. To qualify for one, bring a valid vehicle registration for each vehicle AND a valid government-issued identification. A driver’s license showing a Sanibel address or proof of Sanibel property ownership is required to buy a resident/property owner “A” sticker.
2018 Parking Permit Decals & Fees (permits valid through 11/30/2018) include:
“A” resident/property owner permit $12 (resident &/or Sanibel ad valorem taxpayer property owner
“B” non-resident permit $124 (non-Sanibel ad valorem taxpayer property owner)
“C” restricted permit $90 (resident & non-resident)
“A/C” resident/property owner permit $102
“B/C” non-resident permit $248
Decal transfer or reissue fee $3 (residential & restricted)
General parking meter rate $5 per hour or any fraction
General parking at $5 per hour or “C” permit required for parking at Gulfside City Park (Algier’s) & the Sanibel Boat Ramp
“A” permit parking only at Beach Access Lots 1 through 7 on West Gulf Dr.
More details on www.mySanibel.com. (The Rec Center is open Mon through Thur 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m; Friday 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Sat 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Rec Center memberships are available too – daily, weekly, semi-annual, and annual.
Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity November 10-17, 2017
Sanibel
CONDOS
7 new listings: Mariner Pointe #122 1/1 $410K, Mariner Pointe #533 2/2 $499K, Mariner Pointe #1061 2/2 $599.9K (our listing), Lighthouse Point #321 2/2 $699K, Pointe Santo #D6 2/2 $699.9K, Sand Pointe #111 2/2 $715K, High Tide #C201 2/2 $1.045M.
Mariner Pointe #1061 lanai
3 price changes: Breakers West #A5 2/2 now $498K, Compass Point #192 2/2 now $1.195M, Bandy Beach #A101 3/2 now $1.299M.
1 new sales: Sanibel Arms West #G8 2/2 listed at $499K.
1 closed sale: Tarpon Beach #A102 2/2 $730K.
HOMES
12 new listings: 1394 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 half-duplex $524.9K, 1342 Junonia Sr 3/3 $699K, 3358 Saint Kilda Rd 3/3 $979K, 1195 Par View Dr 3/2.5 $1.095M, 205 Hurricane Ln 3/2 $1.195M, 478 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 $1.295M, 1277 Par View Dr 4/3.5 $1.299M, 534 N. Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $1.395M, 805 Sand Dollar Dr 4/3 $1.449M, 2984 Wulfert Rd 3/3 $1.9M, 6021 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3/2 $2.75M, 5615 Baltusrol Ct 4/6/3 $3.695M.
9 price changes: 1040 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $578K, 5306 Umbrella Pool Rd 4/3 now $799K, 1114 Captains Walk St 3/3 now $949K, 2313 Wulfert Rd 3/3 now $995K, 932 Whelk Dr 3/3 now $1.249M, 2190 Starfish Ln 3/3 now $1.395M, 1525 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 now $1.695M, 6192 Henderson Rd 4/4 now $1.949M, 4649 Rue Belle Mer 3/2.5 now $2.595M.
3 new sales: 545 Piedmont Rd 3/2 listed at $595.9K; 673 East Rocks Dr 3/2 listed at $688,888; 1312 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $695K.
No closed sales:
LOTS
1 new listing: 4565 Bowen Bayou Rd $229,555.
No price changes, new sales, or closed sales.
Captiva
CONDOS
3 new listings: Captiva Shores #4B 3/2.5 $1.495M, Beach Homes #6 3/3 $2.499M, Sunset Captiva #302 4/3 $3.275M.
No price changes.
1 new sale: Beach Homes #7 2/2 listed at $1.795M.
No closed sales.
HOMES
1 new listing: 11506 Wightman Ln 3/3 $1.45M.
1 price change: 1121 Schefflera Ct 4/4.5 now $5.6M.
2 new sales: 11461 Old Lodge Ln 2/2 listed at $1.025M, 11500 Gore Ln 3/2 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.
Happy Thanksgiving!
Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
It’s SanibelSusan, reporting another week of progress on sunny Sanibel Island. More storm debris piles have disappeared, more cars are on the roadways, many of the establishments closed in September have reopened, and the shelling continues to be fantastic.
At the Thursday morning Caravan meeting yesterday at the islands’ Association of Realtors®, there were just a handful of new listings announced, but attendance was up with many affiliates and agents there.
“Ding” Darling Days – Beginning on Sunday, Oct 15, with “Free Family Fun-Day” including live wildlife presentations, a traveling learning lab, butterfly house, wildlife arts and crafts, free Wildlife Drive admission and tram tours, plus hot dogs. During all of next week, there are birding, biking, paddling, and boating tours, plus special daily programs. It wraps up next Saturday, Oct 21, with “Free Conservation Art Day” where attendees can meet Federal duck stamp artists and enjoy cartooning, nature photography, wood-carving demo. Free Wildlife Drive admission that day too. See full calendar of events at 
Sanibel Historical Village and Museum – Reopens Tuesday, Oct 17, and will be open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Guided tours are at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.
Panelists include James Evans, Director of City of Sanibel’s Department of Natural Resources; Dr. Eric Milbrandt, Director of the Marine Lab at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation; and Dr. Erhard Jones, an environmental engineer and professor emeritus at the University of Wisconsin.
Because of the main debris collection site being on Island Inn Road, the City is working with F.I.S.H. to come up with an alternate route for the F.I.S.H. annual 10K fundraiser race which is scheduled for October 28. I got a call from Nicole McHale, 2017 F.I.S.H. Board of Directors Chair, asking if I could get Realtor® volunteers willing to work that morning, manning the route, particularly at driveways, to aide in runner and public safety. The call is out, with plenty of us already volunteering.
Sanibel City Council met yesterday, below is the article posted this morning at “Santiva-Chronicle” on-line:
“Sanibel will operate on a budget lower than last year in 2018 and it will include expenses from Hurricane Irma, higher beach parking rates and a 15% increase in the cost of a membership at the Recreation Center.
Photo above taken this afternoon at the beach in front of West Wind Inn. The beach is narrow and the water still churned up from recent rain and wind, but the water looks pretty typical for post-storm.
On September 8, President Trump signed a 3-month extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) that was due to expire on September 30. The signed legislation also authorized $15.25 billion in emergency funding for disaster relief and rebuilding that includes $7.8 billion for victims of Hurricane Harvey.
C.R.O.W.’s (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlfe) 36th Annual Taste of the Islands will be held Sunday, November 12, at the Sanibel Community Park (across the street from SanibelSusan Realty). Gates open at 12 p.m. and close at 5 p.m. The event features live music and showcases Sanibel and Captiva Islands’ vibrant and diverse restaurant community. New this year, guests can meet CROW’s Animal Ambassadors in the Sanibel Community House.
Committee assignments for 2018 at Florida Realtors® came out this week. It looks like the old gal isn’t going to be retiring anytime soon. Committee work yields good business connections, so I am happy to serve on the state leadership team again next year. The Mid-Winter Business Meetings are the end of January, with my five committees all during a 2-day window, so it will be a quick trip to Orlando for me then. The other committee obligation in Orlando is during the annual governance meetings in August (that sure seems like a long way off, and appreciated that it’s in what’s typically a slow time here).
The following two articles are from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society Newsletter dated Sep 14, 2017:
“Ding” Darling Days STILL On – October 15-21, 2017
Over Easy Café – reopened today. Open 7 days a week from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. for breakfast and lunch.
Sanibel
Sorry I missed posting a blog last Friday. While in Orlando at the Florida Realtors® Annual Convention and Governance Meetings, it was great to play a part in the productive educational sessions Tues/Wed/Thurs, followed by committee meetings Fri/Sat, and ending with the Board of Directors meeting Sunday morning.
You can find more info about Florida Realtors® at 
Yesterday was the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® August General Membership Meeting followed by biweekly Caravan. Once again, like two weeks ago, the meeting was well attended, but not much real estate action was announced. Our new listing at Spanish Cay was one of only two properties on the following Open House Caravan.
If you are looking to try some place new, “Sanibel Fresh” opened yesterday in the former location of Bennett’s Fresh Roast at 1020 Periwinkle Way. Open Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. until 9 p.m., their motto on their Facebook logo says “Healthy food for a happy you”.
I had lunch today with a client who made me a “gator”. Shown here on our office sofa, I intend to take him home where he will recline on a special spot on my red love seat, but in the meantime, she said he needs a name.
As follow-up to my posting last week about the four awards that the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® won for 2016 at FloridaRealtors®.
This article was posted on-line Jan 16, 2017 at “Housecall” which is RISMedia’s blog. Since we get asked this question too, it’s interesting to hear their take. Note the projects vary based on the geographic area and price of the property.
Posted on-line Tuesday at “Realtor®Mag” under “Daily Real Estate News” this article is sourced to Forbes.com:
The below article was posted online today at FloridaRealtors® and has some good advice. It came from Fort Lauderdale’s “Sun Sentinel”. Info about the author follows the article.
Looking to increase the number of Sundial units enrolled in their on-site rental program, Cara and Phil reminded Realtors® that the resort’s new 3-year rental agreement, now going into its second year, gives owners 55% of the income the 1st year, followed by 57% and 60% in the following years. With this agreement, owners may reserve up to 28 days for their own use between February 15 and April 30, otherwise owner time is unlimited.
I also reported that monies from the reserve fund from our meeting 50/50 drawings are being donated to the following local charities: $500 CHR (Community Housing & Resources), $500 CROW (Care & Rehabilitation of Wildlife), $500 F.I.S.H. (Friends In Service Here), $500 Friends Who Care, $500 San-Cap Cares (Golisano Children’s Hospital), and $1,000 The Community House. Formal check presentations will be made later this month.
Construction is nearing completion at the $3M reconstruction, restoration, renovation, expansion project at The Community House. It all began in May. A temporary certificate of occupancy is expected before the end of the month. If it is received, equipment could starting moving in in early January. Events are already scheduled in 2017, including the 80th Annual Sanibel Shell Festival in March. Not bad for a building that is a 90-year-old structure. More info at 
Community Carol Sing – open to the public, at historic Captiva Chapel By The Sea, 11580 Chapin Lane, Sunday, Dec 18 at 6 p.m. A handful of locals and featuring Johnny Jensen on the drums are performing “Little Drummer Boy”. You-know-who is singing alto.
Until next Friday, may your days be sunny & filled with holiday fun!
At the Thursday morning Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting yesterday, members brought toys and gift cards for “Friends Who Care”. “Friends Who Care” is a non-profit started back in 1983 by island tax consultant Tom Louwers and his late wife Teresa.
Reopening Soon
Until next Friday, enjoy your pre-holiday fun & please give The SanibelSusan Team a call if buying a piece of Paradise is on your Christmas list!
According to “Daily Real Estate News” on line, last week, “for the second week, mortgage rates moved higher. This time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage inched above 3.5% for the first time since June.
Construction is moving along at the Sanibel Community House, but in their update this week, they mentioned that a delay is definite and that the annual mini-golf usually held between Christmas and New Years has been postponed. The annual island Thanksgiving Celebration held the Sunday before the holiday, this year will be at Schein Performance Hall at BIG ARTS, rather than the Community House. Appears that the new Community House will be ready in early January.
Real estate professionals continue to have concerns with the changes and were among the many people and organizations that submitted almost 1,600 comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau as it works to finalize a rule that would try to improve the process. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) also submitted comments. Among other points, NAR says it remains too difficult for real estate professionals to get a copy of the closing disclosure so they can help their clients.
