With the rainy season just around the corner, there has been a noticeable increase in new landscaping going in around the island. Since the summer showers have not begun yet (just a couple of quick sprinkles earlier this week), the gulf and bay waters remain a clear bright blue.
Folks enjoying the beach at Fulgur St Beach access.
Today at Tarpon Beach condos.
At Tarpon Beach condos, the new landscaping plan also includes a new entrance. Many owners and communities forward to getting free watering for their new vegetation and more greenery as the spring growing season continues. In addition to seeing new plants going in, there also has been a scurry of activity this week with swales and drainage areas being cleaned out along the Gulf Drives. I saw them today at Casa Ybel Resort.
There also has been serious tree trimming around East End utility lines and along the sides of roadways, including Tarpon Bay Rd. Anchor Drive took an entire day & then I saw them on Causeway Bldvd. Sanibel will be better prepared for rainy season this year!
Speaking of tarpon, many more fishing boats have been lined up next to the causeway bridges this week too. Today was the 13th Annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament, but no results have announced yet.
Florida Tops U.S. For Economy
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…
“The ranking, which looks at eight categories (health care, education, natural environment, opportunity, economy, crime and corrections, infrastructure and fiscal stability) across 71 different metrics, also placed Florida as second in the nation for education.
“U.S. News & World report said the state’s dramatic growth bolstered the economy for the No. 1 spot. “With millions of visitors each year to its beaches, major amusement parks centered around Orlando and cruise ships departing from ports on both coasts, tourism is a major contributor to Florida’s gross domestic product.
The state’s agriculture industry is also robust, with Florida groves producing many of the country’s oranges and a winter vegetable industry that makes agriculture a year-round enterprise,” U.S. News’ analysts said.
“Tourism, which pays a sizable share of the state’s sales tax, also has enabled Florida to remain among the states without a personal income tax – adding to the allure of the nation’s leading retirement haven.”
Gov. Ron DeSantis lauded the state’s ranking, noting Florida climbed three spots in Best State rankings overall from last year. “Great momentum!”
Florida was the only state in the South to make the top 10 list:
- Utah
- New Hampshire
- Idaho
- Minnesota
- Nebraska
- Florida
- Vermont
- South Dakota
- Massachusetts
- Washington
Causeway News
More folks also have been enjoying the causeway island beaches and this week the speed limit returned to 35, but just on the causeway. From the toll booth west, it remains 20 with construction continuing in that area.
Heading on/or off island, it still pays to drive cautiously as visitors are adjusting to the new causeway beach entrances. Bikers are back on the causeway too.
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.
Sea Turtles
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.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors
It was an East-End Caravan meeting yesterday at the Islands Association of Realtors. The tour following the meeting had a Sanibel condo, a Sanibel home, and a Captiva home open for easy viewing. Next week is West-End Caravan, while at our monthly membership meeting on May 29, we look forward to hearing from guest speaker, Sanibel Mayor Mike Miller.
Real Estate Scoop
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 have been seven new island sales this week: two Sanibel condos, four Sanibel homes, and a Captiva condo.
| SANIBEL
RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale: | 179 | 979,662 | 130 | 285 | 1,792,484 | 126 | 45 | 943,631 | 277 |
| Under contract | 11 | 706,545 | 142 | 21 | 1,462,402 | 153 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold to 5/9/25 | 43 | 826,720 | 119 | 60 | 1,437,645 | 105 | 3 | 1,350,000 | 66 |
| 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: | 51 | 1,166,321 | 180 | 41 | 6,214,463 | 160 | 3 | 9,916,666 | 273 |
| Under contract | 3 | 1,994,666 | 178 | 0 | N/A | N/A | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold to 5/9/25 | 2 | 1,097,500 | 473 | 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 2-9
Sanibel
CONDO
4 new listings: Lighthouse Point #111 2/2 $548K, Sanibel Surfside #113 2/2 $930K, Sanddollar #302 3/2 $1.499M, Sundial #A210 2/2 $1.95M.
7 price changes: Cottage Colony West #132 1/1 now $503K, Sandalfoot #2C2 2/2 now $725,555; Sundial #A308 2/2 now $849K, Sandalfoot #1A2 2/2 now $849K, Sandalfoot #5D2 2/2 now $849K, Sandalfoot #5D3 2/2 now $879K, Sundial #J104 2/2 now $985K.
2 new sales: By-the-Sea #B101 3/2 listed at $699K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1-3A 3/2.5 listed at $1M.
3 closed sales: Sunset South #7D 2/2 $550K (SanibelSusan listing), Sanibel Inn #3511 2/2 $825K, Sundial #O406 2/2 $1.5M.
HOMES
3 new listings: 548 Chert Ct 3/2 $899K, 1202 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 $1.299M, 2337 Wulfert Rd 4/3 $1.694M.
1 back-on-market: 1062 S Yachtsman Dr 3/3 $1.299M.
18 price changes: 9455 Beverly Ln 2/2 now $610K, 1651 Sand Castle Rd (1/2 duplex) 3/2.5 now $669K, 9338 Belding Dr 2/2.5 now $749K, 5309 Umbrella Pool Ct 3/3 now $835K, 249 Christofer Ct 3/2 now $1.025M, 272 Ferry Landing Dr 3/3 now $1.095M, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $1.139M, 717 Gopher Walk Way 3/3.5 now $1.195M, 2525 Lands End Pl 4/3 now $1.375M, 702 Pyrula Ave 3/2 now $1.395M, 713 Durion Ct 3/2 now $1.4M, 829 Pyrula Ave 3/3 now $1.495M, 203 Daniel Dr 3/3 now $1.495M, 821 Lindgren Blvd 3/3 now $1.595M, 848 Limpet Dr 3/2 now $2.05M, 5435 Osprey Ct 4/3.5 now $2.099M, 4972 Joewood Dr 4/3.5 now $2.55M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 4/4.5 now $2.9M.
4 new sales: 551 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 listed at $675,555; 736 Windlass Way 3/2 listed at $1.399M, 9439 Cotten Ct 4/4.5 listed at $1.15M, 9113 Mockingbird Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.995M.
4 closed sales: 4596 Buck Key Rd 3/2 $645K, 588 Hideaway Ct 3/2 $685K, 284 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2.5 $1.095M, 906 Snowberry Ln 4/4.5 $3.95M.
LOTS
1 new listing: 1746 Windward Way $495K.
No price changes, new or closed sales.
CAPTIVA
CONDOS
No new listings.
3 price changes: Bayside Villas #4110 1/2 now $325K, Bayside Villas #5208 1/2 now $450K, Tennis Villas #3132 2/2 now $672.5K.
1 new sale: Beach Homes #29 4/4 listed at $2.999M.
No closed sales.
HOMES
1 new listing: 54 Sandpiper Ct 2/2 $1.36M.
2 price changes: 16500 Captiva Dr 6/5.5 now $6.995M, 1127 Longifolia Ct 4/4 now $7.4M.
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.
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
The City of Sanibel posted today that on Tuesday April 22 work will begin on the City stormwater repair project which is a component of the stormwater masterplan update. As part of the update, the stormwater system was inspected by Johnson Engineering and this project incorporates the results of those inspections and items identified by City staff.
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.
During the local Association of Realtors Caravan meeting yesterday, only one new sale was announced, along with plenty of new listings and price reductions. After the meeting a West End Caravan followed with four Sanibel homes, two Captiva homes, and a Sanibel condo open for easy viewing.
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”:
Island Scoop
Sandalfoot – This 5-building 60-unit condo association at 671 East Gulf Dr has reopened for vacation rentals. With both 1- and 2-bedroom apartments that are either gulf-front or gulf-view, it has been an East End favorite since the early 70’s. Now many units are like-new! They had their grand re-opening this week with their buildings, grounds, easy on-site rental office, and restored amenities look terrific.
Sanibel Distressed Properties – At the last City Council meeting a first reading was held about an Ordinance change to the Land Development Code to authorize the City to take action to abate unsecured or unkept properties that have been declared “distressed”. A Code Enforcement Hearing covering several properties is scheduled for Monday, March 31. The next City Council Meeting is Tuesday. More info including meeting agenda and links to listen to the meetings are on MySanibel.com.
Shalimar Beach Resort – It has been a year since the groundbreaking of the new buildings of this hotel at 2823 West Gulf Dr. They certainly looks different from the previous 1959-style olde-Florida cottages, but their advertising touts that all of the 33 new accommodations, including hotel studios and 1- and 2-bedroom villas will have kitchens and balconies. It still looks like construction has a long way to go, but they just announced that they are taking reservations for stays beginning in October.
Our Association of Realtors also warned us late yesterday there have been more reports today of local Realtors getting text messages from fraudulent sellers. Thankfully, Florida Realtors provides its agents with an app called Forewarn where we enter a phone number and instantly verify caller identity, criminal history, property and vehicle ownership, financial data, and additional phone and address history. You can be sure that we use it when we get calls from numbers our phones do not recognize.
Sanibel
Shared Use Path Speed – The expanded use of E-bikes has resulted in more education on what is allowed on Sanibel’s Shared Use Paths. With 26+miles of paths, they can be busy, particularly “in season” with bikers, joggers, hikers, dog walkers, baby strollers, and more.
next to the roadway in front of Lighthouse Café and The Lazy Flamingo say “10 mph” which initially made me think I was speeding in my car. Regarding E-bikes on the paths, only Class 1 bikes are permitted and riders must be 16 or older. Pedestrians still have the right-of-way. All users need to be careful. Sanibel has a brochure with the rules at 
Whitney’s Bait & Tackle – Over the course of the last year, you may have seen that Whitney’s Bait & Tackle at 1554 Perwinkle Way has been raised up. This week, I noticed that they have covered the lower pilings with a buffer along the streetside that incorporates “fish”. It’s just cool. Bet you notice it too.
“science doesn’t get to the goal line, it takes political engagement.”
One of the slides was from a 1972 National Geographic magazine showing South Florida’s water crisis then.
Further south, the larger EAA (Everglades Agricultural Area) reservoir is slated to be done in late 2034 and it also will have a water treatment wetland area next to it. With ten Everglades Restoration projects completed over 3 million acres, it also was interesting to hear that the Picayune Strand (which is south of Naples) is restored and already bringing back natural habitat, including eagles and panther. The Kissimmee River that goes into Lake O also has been restored. An interesting statistic is that 70-80% of the benefits in these projects are in the first 3-5 years.
A little sleuthing with other brokers indicates that these purported buyers are making offers on several properties simultaneously, then if they are lucky enough to get one or more accepted, they just cancel any contracts for unwanted property during the cancellation periods. I heard one offer was as low as 63% of asking price. I also have yet to find one that has been accepted and made it to closing.
Enjoy your weekend & if you are “out & about” on the island tomorrow, Sat 3/22, stop in & see teammate David at his Open House at 5309 Umbrella Pool Rd in Sanibel Bayous. He’ll be there from 10 a.m. til 1 p.m.
Island Scoop
Periwinkle Place – also positive this week was to see so many cars at the shopping center. It has been the most action since the hurricanes with many businesses reopen, including Chico’s, Everything But Water, One Island Sanibel, Beach Daisy, Coast Clothing, Congress Jewelers, Her Sports Closet, Sea Glass Lane, Sanibel Day Spa, Sanibel Flip Flops, Tiki Jim’s, and Yara’s Shoe Boutique, plus Blue Giraffe Island Bar & Grill and Pinocchio’s Original Ice Cream.
Spanish Cay – condo buildings have been undergoing a facelift and it looks like their new exterior painting is about done. With brick-colored roofs, the buildings are now white with dark trim on the balcony/lanai railings. Looks fresh!
Yesterday, at the islands Association of Realtors weekly Caravan Meeting, attendance was light as those coming from off-island said a broken-down truck plus contractor work in another location limited travel both on- and off-island, preventing many from arriving at all.
Usually, the larger complexes and communities have the most inventory, but it is surprising that this far into “high season”, that the following areas have ten or more properties for sale. A great time for island buyers, particularly in these locations where there are many offerings.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend & upcoming St Patrick’s Day,
A Little Island Scoop
reduced to one-lane. That began on Mar 3 and is expected to take about two weeks. More work on the islands themselves continues.
These two side-by-side businesses share the building at 2365 Periwinkle Way and had their ribbon-cuttings this week. (Old timers will remember this building as the original McIntosh Books.)
Sundial Beach Resort & Spa
encouraged to share with clients and customers.
Though the chatter at weekly Caravan was again that few listings are getting showings, The SanibelSusan Team is encouraged because we have had a variety and multiple showings at several listings – more than we have had in a single week in months.
Sanibel