Comments about the brilliant Caribbean-style waters surrounding the islands probably are done for another year as right-on-schedule, the rainy season began over the weekend and continued right through the week, until today. Gotta love a Friday with blue skies and sunshine! (Photo below by JMA Photography)
Earlier in the week, with sometimes-heavy showers off-and-on, both day and night, the salt water that covered the islands last year surely washed away. Vegetation and grasses are loving it, with more bright green growth already obvious.
On the Causeway islands, I heard a few grumblings about sand already being washed away during these showers. That is not good news, but when the sun is out, there are always vehicles parked there, with beachgoers and fishermen enjoying it.
More Re-Opening News
There also have been a few grumblings this week about business being slow everywhere. It has always been quiet on the island in May with schools here just finishing up, snowbirds gone, and summer vacationers not yet arriving. Before moving here, we always thought May was a great month to come for a visit for those very reasons.
Have the hurricanes over the last few years affected visitors returning? You bet, but that will improve as more accommodations become available and more businesses reopen.
The Bubble Room posted yesterday that they are reopening soon. Are just awaiting final permits and expect to reopen as soon as they are received. Until then, Boop’s by The Bubble Room is open daily 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and The Bubble Room Emporium also is open.
The Sanibel Sprout – Reopened their storefront on Wed at The Islander Center, 2407 Periwinkle Way. During rebuilding after Hurricane Ian, they were flooded again with the fall storms so had been operating out of a food truck while the juice/coffee bar and bakery were again rebuilt. With their soft opening this week, they are open 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Check um out for some healthy options.
Island Real Estate Scoop
The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors did not meet this week as the leadership team was in DC for the annual National Association of Realtors Legislative Meetings.
It was great news yesterday to hear that friend Christine Hansen, Florida Realtors 2018 President, was voted in as the National Association of Realtors (NAR) 2026 President-Elect, positioning her to be NAR President in 2027.
I first met Christine decades ago at Florida Realtors committee meetings. She has come to the Gulf Coast many times in support of our District events and it has been a joy watching her climb the leadership ladder. She is Broker/Owner of Century 21 Hansen Realty in Fort Lauderdale, a company started by her mother in 1977.
Aug 2023 at Florida Realtors Annual Meetings
Having another Floridian at the helm of the largest national trade organization will be a plus for us!
Back on Sanibel/Captiva, the island off-season Caravan schedule returns next week with Thurs June 12 scheduled as an Open Caravan Meeting at 9 a.m.
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.
There were seven new residential sales posted in MLS this week on Sanibel, a condo and five homes, plus a Captiva condo.
For those wondering why inventory has declined without more sales, it is that time of the year when sellers sometimes take their listings off the market for the summer. Many six-month listings expire at the end of May or June, so there likely will be more reductions.
I rarely recommend giving a listing a rest if an owner wants to sell as you never know when the right buyer might come along. Those that prefer waiting, should list early so photography and initial marketing are done before the first snowbirds arrive – right after school starts.
It also is worth noting that families looking to move here, often do their looking in the summer, another reason to keep a home listed. Those folks want to be settled in before the local school year begins. This year, that is August 4, 2025.
The June/July issue of the island “Real Estate Guide’ came out today. Our full-page ad is below:
|
SANIBEL RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS |
HOMES |
LOTS |
||||||
|
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
# |
Avg Price |
DOM |
|
|
For sale: |
161 |
1,001,025 |
152 |
241 |
1,635,051 |
138 |
44 |
1,275,304 |
287 |
|
Under contract |
10 |
744,950 |
94 |
23 |
1,603,719 |
137 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold to 6/6/25 |
53 |
802,433 |
120 |
74 |
1,388,858 |
112 |
4 |
1,095,000 |
79 |
|
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: |
47 |
1,271,370 |
198 |
42 |
6,280,785 |
176 |
3 |
9,916,666 |
301 |
|
Under contract |
2 |
502,500 |
203 |
2 |
2,487,000 |
159 |
0 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Sold to 6/6/25 |
5 |
1,519,000 |
315 |
1 |
910,000 |
86 |
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 May 30 – Jun 6
Sanibel
CONDOS
3 new listings: Sunset South #8A 2/2 $729K, Sanddollar #B302 3/2 $1.195M, Sandpiper West #1 3/3 $1.795M.
7 price changes: Blind Pass #F104 2/2 now $449K, Blind Pass #F111 2/2 now $549K, Cottage Colony West #112 1/1 now $585K, Sanibel Moorings #822 2/2 now $599K, Sunset South #10A 2/2 now $599K, Lighthouse Point #124 3/2 now $850K, Lighthouse Point #215 3/2 now $895K.
1 new sale: Captains Walk #F7 2/1.5 listed at $329K.
3 closed sales: Blind Pass #B110 2/2 $472.5K, Island Beach Club #P2E 2/2 $850K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-3A 3/2.5 $1M.
HOMES
1 new listing: 5770 Pine Tree Dr 3/2.5 $1.2M.
1 back-on-market: 495 East Lake Rd 3/2 $639K.
15 price changes: 662 East Rocks Dr 3/2 now $625K, 2162 Egret Cir (1/2 duplex) 3/2 now $685K, 1846 Farm Tr 3/2 now $699K, 653 Oliva St 3/2 now $750K, 3009 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $762K, 1730 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $849K, 9298 Kincaid Ct 3/2 now $799K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $1.084M, 3702 Coquina Dr 4/3 now $1.175M, 2999 Twin Ponds Dr 4/3.5 now $1.2M, 3008 Turtle Gait Ln 3/2 now $1.475M, 526 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $1.495M, 742 Nerita St 3/2 now $1.7M, 6101 Starling Way 4/3.5 now $1.747M, 1656 Hibiscus Dr 4/3.5 now $2.635K.
5 new sales: 4049 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $350K, 9003 Mockingbird Dr 5/4 listed at $750K, 544 Sea Oats Dr 4/4 listed at $1.395M, 1004 Bayview Dr 5/4 listed at $4.095M, 4513 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 listed at $4.9M.
3 closed sales: 1978 Roseate Ln 3/2 $670K, 592 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $1.1M, 1441 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $1,445,250.
LOTS
1 new listing: 5603 Baltusrol Ct $650K.
No price changes new, or closed sales.
CAPTIVA
CONDOS
1 new listing: Captiva Beach Villas #E 5/4.5 $3.489M.
2 price changes: Beach Villas #2611 2/2 now $915K, Lands End Village #1656 3/3 now $1.995M.
1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5124 1/2 listed at $325K.
1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1645 2/2 $1.7M.
HOMES
1 new listing: 11533 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $3.2M.
No price changes, 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.
The City posted another update this week on Sanibel’s island-wide stormwater repair project which began in April and is part of their stormwater master plan update. The system was inspected by Johnson Engineering and the repair project incorporates the results of that and City inspections. Sediment is being removed from swales/culverts and improvements made at catch basin inlets and pipe end treatments. The project is expected to take several months. Work is in areas within publicly maintained rights-of-way and drainage easements.
More Re-Openings
Love Sanibel Back 2025 – Kicked off Wednesday at the East-End shops. Every week for the next 13 weeks, different business areas of the island will be highlighted with fun shopping and dining opportunities to “love Sanibel back”.
Florida Legislature Passes Condo Reform
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
Sea Turtles – This week SCCF also documented the first 2025 green sea turtle nest on the islands. It was laid by the same sea turtle that SCCF has encountered 12 times over the last seven years. Nearly all sea turtle nests laid here are from loggerhead turtles, but there could be as many as 30 green turtle nests. SCCF documented the first loggerhead nest on April 25. As of SCCF has recorded 132 sea turble nests on the island (the same number as last year at this time). Turtle nesting season goes through October.
The island Association of Realtors had no Caravan Meeting this week, as classes for the SCIS (Sanibel Captiva Islands Specialist) designation were underway. There was, however, listing activity posted in the MLS as detailed below.
Enjoy your Memorial Day weekend,
Daytime temps in the mid-80’s (degrees F) are expected right through next week as new growth in typical spring fashion is popping out everywhere, including on my front walk where a gardenia bush has made it through the last three hurricanes. It only has a single bloom, but it is going to make it!
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.
Posted Wednesday on Florida Realtors: “Florida ranks No. 1 for economy, No. 2 in education, and No 6 overall in U.S. News’ Best States list – up three spots from last year…
SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) also is monitoring least terns also have been observed nesting on the causeway again this year. This will be the third straight year with them there, after a 30-year absence. Last year, they successfully fledged chicks.
Daily monitoring of the 18 miles of Sanibel and Captiva beaches began on April 15 with SCCF documenting the first sea turtle nest of the year on April 25. Since then, their staff and volunteers, beginning each day at dawn, have reported ten loggerhead turtle nests and 28 false crawls. Nesting season will continue to pick up (particularly in June and July), so please remember to keep beach lights out after 9 p.m.
Happy Mothers’ Day weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
The event this year is themed the 50th Anniversary Edition in honor of Sanibel anniversary this past November. Island Night tickets are free with the festivities beginning at Hammon Stadium on Wednesday night May 7, when gates open at 5:45 p.m. A traditional pre-game parade and ceremony follow with the first pitch thrown at 7:05 p.m. when the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels take on the Dunedin Blue Jays. A first-ever fireworks display will close out the event.
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
The SCCF shorebird team is monitoring Sanibel’s first two snowy plover nests of the year. One is an adult that was banded in 2019 and has nested here every year since. The other nest belongs to an unbanded pair. Last year was the first in the snowy plover program history that no chicks were fledged here. Volunteers check nests daily. Shorebird nesting season begins in February and can continue through August.
It also now is the beginning of sea turtle nesting season. Each spring, warmer waters in the Gulf trigger these turtles to start their migration from foraging grounds to breeding nesting and habitats. From now through October, SCCF’s turtle team of staff and volunteers monitors the beaches 
At the monthly Association of Realtors membership meeting yesterday, guest speaker Dr. Brad O’Connor, Florida Realtors Chief Economist, updated attendees on business state-wide. Teammate Dave attended while I listened remotely.
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.
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Sometimes social media provides incorrect info, so it was nice yesterday to see a post with an update by The Mucky Duck Restaurant. It advises that they have just received their permits so restoration now may begin. In 1993, they were certified “historic” so may rebuild in basically the same footprint which is what they intend to do. The post said they are rebuilding “the way it was”. They hope to reopen by fall/next season but hope that it can be sooner. Their immediate focus is on rebuilding the foundation. The floor was ripped out months ago so now they can pour new footers and proceed. We all look forward to their successful completion and reopening!
Wednesday at the Association Office, I attended the 2-hour Continuing Education Class sponsored by affiliate Attorney Gus Simmons of Simmon & Cook PLLC. Titled “A Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Florida’s Condo Safety Laws Post-Surfside”, the room was packed with both brokers and sales associates. Here are some take-aways:
At the weekly Association of Realtors meeting yesterday, attendance was not as great as during the educational session, but a condo sale was announced and a West-End Caravan followed the meeting with four Sanibel homes open for easy viewing. Wink news also filmed at the meeting and then interviewed our CEO Bill Robinson.
Enjoy your Easter weekend, I’ll still be watching for a bunny!
Posted this week: “The City of Sanibel completed its 2024 Community Rating System audit and maintained a Class 5 rating, which results in a 25% discount on flood insurance premiums. “The City maintaining a Class 5 rating is indicative of all the floodplain management efforts that the City has been focused on since the Hurricanes.” said Craig Molé, Building Official and Director of Building Department, “In order to get the Island back up and running to its pre-storm condition, there are many aspects that staff and the community must balance. Resiliency is key with mitigation in mind.”
Posted yesterday on CaptivaSanibel.com: “With the support of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) and its donors, the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge is preparing to remove and mulch most of what is left of the trees flooded by Hurricane Ian along Legion Curve on Sanibel-Captiva Road and at the Botanical Site on Sanibel. The work will require a special machine rental and dry conditions, so it is coordinating it to happen in the April-May time frame. “In order to do this work in a sensitive manner, it takes specialized equipment that many contractors don’t have. We have come up with a better plan that we think will satisfy our habitat management goals and eliminate unsightly dead vegetation along Sanibel-Captiva Road,” Refuge Manager Kevin Godsea said.”
Tuesday, the local Association of Realtors held a Brokers’ Roundtable, the first in several years. Agenda items included new MLS features in the works, an update on the National Association of Realtors clear cooperation policy, and local topics covering build-back progress, member involvement, and condo law updates. The island Association supports the grassroots efforts underway to speed up Sanibel restoration and improve island economy. Leaders are worried about how long recovery is taking and island business this summer. Brokers discouragingly agreed that the real estate market has a long way to go to recover, but it will. Many said their Open Houses are yielding few, if any, viewings. We also heard that vacation rental reservations dropped off drastically on April 1.
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.
Donax Village – If you have driven by this condo community lately, you have probably noticed that the nine duplexes and two cottages there are looking well restored. Though elevated ~3 feet above ground, they were extensively damaged during Hurricane Ian when nearly 9’ of water flooded them. It was a 2-year rebuild project to bring them back – and then came Hurricanes Helene and Milton which were just close calls, but eye-opening to owners (like for many). So to prevent future devastation, the Association has decided to elevate the entire community 15’. There will be more to watch there as that project progresses.
White Pelican Villas – last week, Tony Lapi and his team from Sanibel-Captiva Beach Resorts held the ground-breaking for the new White Pelican Villas which are being built by Stevens Construction on the former West Gulf Dr site of Beachview Cottages. This community will feature 22 sustainably-built units all with gulf views.
Affiliate members, like Gus, are so important to our organization. His office (Simmons & Cook) is sponsoring an upcoming Realtor continuing education class at the Association Office on April 16. Titled “A Real Estate Agent’s Guide to Florida’s Condominium Law Post-Surfside”, it covers the recent law changes that came about after the condo building collapse on the East Coast. With the Florida Condo Rider now requiring identification of those properties that are required to have a milestone inspection performed, a turnover inspection report prepared, and a structural integrity reserve study done, it is important for condo owners, their prospective buyers, and Realtors to know which communities must do these. (Yes, I’m registered.)
Posted today (April 4, 2026): here is NAR Economist Lawrence Yun’s “instant reaction” to the new “jobs report”: