Category Archives: Seashells

What a week – with real estate, summer weather, pickleball, spaghetti, shells, bathtubs, & more…

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Lanai a

Mariner Pointe #1061, with this lanai, a fantastic interior remodel, 2 community pools, tennis, boat dockage, private fishing pier, bbq areas, plus deeded gulf beach access

 

 

 

 

SanibelSusan here, reporting more terrific summer-like weather. The island was packed with people last weekend. With the long holiday weekend, the causeway islands were jammed from Saturday through Tuesday. (Local schools were out both Monday and Tuesday). Periwinkle Way was especially slow going during the Saturday/Sunday Arts & Crafts Fair, while the on-off-island traffic in early morning, midday, and late afternoon continues to be challenging. Lotsa folks are here enjoying the wonderful weather and all the islands offer.

 

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Yesterday, there was just an average turn-out for the islands Thursday Realtor® Caravan Meeting. It was a west-end Caravan which means properties from west of Tarpon Bay Road to Captiva. Only six properties where on the tour list, including an east-end canal-front home, so teammate Dave held our Lighthouse Way listing open at the same time hoping to attract some of the same lookers.

Ext Front

569 Lighthouse Way

 

Caravan rules permit properties on the other end of the island to be on the schedule, only where there are not enough properties signed up to fill the 15-unit maximum. Next week is East-End.

The details the action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service are after a few news items below. Check out the huge number of price reductions. As season winds down, it’s a great time to buy!

Island Events

Sundial-pickleball-

Pickleball courts at Sundial Beach Resort

 

  • Inaugural CAN AM Super Slam – today through Sunday, Feb 23-25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., pickleball tournament for seniors at Sundial Beach Resort & sanctioned by both the USA Pickleball Association and the Super Senior International Pickleball Association (SSIPA), free & open to the public. Because it is a SSIPA tournament, all players are 60 or older and already USAPA ranked. Competition features five age categories: 60 to 64, 65 to 69, 70 to 74, 75 to 79, and 80 plus, with each event broken down by “skill” or the points the players have. Based on a bracket-type of play, every event is a double-elimination round. For more info contact pickleballcip@gmail.com or call 231-676-9681. Pickleball is the fastest growing sport in America!
  • spaghetti dinner38th Annual Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner – tomorrow night, Saturday, Feb 24, at The Community House, dinner served 4 to 8 p.m. followed by raffles, silent & live auctions, music, & fun. All to benefit island youth. Can’t beat the all-you-can-eat price – $11 at the door, kiddos 9 and under free.
  • Sanibel-Shell-Festival-3-Sanibel-Rentals-Photo-Courtesy-of-Sanibel-Shell-Festival81st Sanibel Shell Festival – next week, Thursday, Friday, & Saturday, Mar 1, 2, and 3 at The Community house. Open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., except Saturday when it’s over at 4 p.m.
  • Octifest on The Beach – Sunday, Mar 11 at 6:30 p.m. on Causeway Island A, annual Sanibel Sea School fundraiser to purchase equipment and support outreach programs for landlocked kids. Tickets at www.octifest.org or call 239-472-8585.

New Sanibel Sea School Offering

Sanibel Sea SchoolAs announced in the “Island Sun” this week, Sanibel Sea School has added seasonal classes for 4- to 6-year olds to the organization’s schedule of field-based marine science learning opportunities. The program will be called Sea Squirts, and will be offered through mid-April. Like the nonprofit’s classes for 6- to 13-year olds, Sea Squirts Day Camps will cover a different topic each week, and activities including crabbing, rock flipping, mud walks, and more… each class will be two hours long. More info and registration at www.sanibelseaschool.org or call 239-472-8585.

Just How Important Is a Bathtub for Resale?

From “Realtor®Mag” February 2018: “It’s long been believed that every home needs at least one bathtub to attract the widest group of buyers. But with increased interest in big, well equipped, walk-in showers, does a tub really matter that much?bathtub clip art

“Bathrooms reflect trends as much as any room in a house does. Back in the 1980s and ’90s, whirlpool tubs with multiple water jets were all the rage. They fell out of favor as many homeowners found they just didn’t use them as much as they expected to. Other users were frustrated by the time deeper tubs took to fill. Some tubs even posed health concerns due to piping that was tough to keep clean.

“The basic rectangular tub returned, although it was soon eclipsed by the oversized, deluxe shower, big enough for two and with multiple controls and rainfall heads offering a personalized experience.

“So where does this leave the bathtub? Many buyers still think they need one. But is this must-have really more akin to the desire for a separate dining room, in an era where families congregate, cook, and eat in their kitchens every day?

What About Walk-Ins?

“For the aging boomer population, the walk-in tub market continues to expand with more manufacturers offering new designs to serve their needs. The big challenge for this style is to remove the stigma of being a geriatric product, says Joe Pilato, vice president of sales and marketing for Hydro Dimensions, which helped to start the walk-in tub niche back in 2000. They offer 15 different models—most with built-in seats, easy-to-open doors, and a low threshold at the bottom—along with custom designs. “Buyers should make quality a high priority since they vary greatly from company to company,” Pilato says. He estimates fully installed designs range from $6,000 to $14,000 and says those who plan to age in place should also ensure they have a wide enough doorway to enter the bathroom using a wheelchair or walker. For real estate pros showing a listing with such a tub to younger buyers, Pilato suggests marketing it as a step-in spa.

The Must-Have POV

“Home appraiser Jonathan J. Miller, president of New York–based Miller Samuel, which tracks trends in 30 housing markets throughout the country, considers at least one bathtub a must. “The tub falls into the category of another commodity in a house. Sellers who have the most commodities—or amenities—win because their houses appeal to the widest audience and you’re always trying to expand the buyer pie,” he says.

“Los Angeles interior designer Erica Islas of EMI Interior Designs agrees, and says her clients want at least one tub or a tub-shower combination. “Some even add a bathtub before selling to improve the odds of resale,” she says. Kristie Barnett, a designer who founded The Decorologist and is a professional stager in Nashville, Tenn., is even more adamant about a tub’s importance. “There absolutely has to be at least one bathtub in any condo or home. When you sell, you’re also selling a lifestyle and having no tub will hinder a sale to most buyers,” she says.

“Research backs up the anecdotal evidence. Third-party market research firm Vital Findings, based in Culver City, Calif., found in a study commissioned by Jacuzzi Luxury Bath that 38% of U.S. residents bathe weekly and half of them are men.

another clip art bath“The need for at least one tub is most common among two specific homeowner groups. The first is young families with small children, since many parents consider a traditional tub safer than a shower, says Stephanie Mallios, a sales rep with Coldwell Banker Residential Brokerage in Short Hills, N.J. The second group is luxury home owners whose houses usually have multiple bathrooms….”

Here on the islands, unless the property is a 1-bedroom condo, a tub or tub/shower combo is a must. Big showers may be the rage, but where children and grandchildren are plentiful, and the beach is part of the lifestyle, a tub is an important and desired property feature.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 16-23, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sundial #Q404 2/2 $975K.

3 price changes: Mariner Pointe #1061 2/2 now $555.5K (our listing), Gulfside Place #222 2/2 now $1.15M, Compass Point #192 2/2 now $1.175M.

6 new sales: Blind Pass #D101 2/2 listed at $439K, Loggerhead Cay #332 2/2 listed at $474.5K, Sand Pointe #215 2/2 listed at $719K, Loggerhead Cay #134 2/2 listed at $995K, Sanibel Seaview #C2 3/3 listed at $1.15M, High Tide #B102 2/2 listed at $1.795M.

2 closed sales: Spanish Cay #A4 2/2 $360K, Blind Pass #D105 2/2 $407K.

HOMES

15 new listings: 317 East Gulf Dr 3/2 half-duplex $575K, 236 Hurricane Ln 2/3 $699K, 4439 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $725K, 978 Black Skimmer Way 3/2 $725K, 2073 Wild Lime Dr 4/3 $779K, 678 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $829K, 950 Cabbage Palm Ct 3/2 $848K, 3320 St. Kilda Rd 4/2.5 $1.049M, 852 Lindgren Blvd 4/3 $1.195M, 3832 Coquina Dr 3/4 $1.25M, 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 $1.67M, 2263 Starfish Ln 5/4.5 $1.699M, 4809 Tradewinds Dr 3/3.5 $2.395M, 1083 Bird Ln 4/2/1 $3.999M, 3767 West Gulf Dr 3/4.5 $7.995M.

23 price changes: 1438 Sandpiper Cir 3/2.5 half-duplex now $399.9K, 4542 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 now $460K, 972 Fitzhugh St 3/2 now $454.9K, 5299 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2.5 now $519K, 9477 Peaceful Dr 3/2 now $527K, 4542 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 now $530K, 5306 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 now $539.9K, 984 Black Skimmer Way 3/2 now $575K, 1410 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 now $609K, 1190 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $635K, 1008 Demere Ln 2/2 now $615K, 753 Cardium St 3/2 now $655K, 585 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $699K, 1183 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 now $769.9K, 1043 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $799K, 5739 Pine Tree Dr 3/3 now $829K, 2490 Coconut Dr 3/3.5 now $848K, 5313 Punta Caloosa Ct 4/3 now $985K, 534 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $1.3M, 2462 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 now $1.75M, 2984 Wulfert Rd 3/3 now $1.8M, 6021 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3/2 now $2.499M, 1561 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/4 now $2.5M.

7 new sales: 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 listed at $679K, 1342 Junonia St 3/3 listed at $679K, 1245 Anhinga Ln 3/2 listed at $799K, 924 Beach Rd 3/2 listed at $895K, 6047 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/2.5 listed at $1.295M, 1475 Angel Dr 3/4.5 listed at $1.549M, 900 Snowberry Ln 4/3 listed at $2.995M.

3 closed sales: 1743 Jewel Box Dr 3/3.5 $1.2M, 900 Snowberry Ln 4/3 $2.9M, 4641 Belle Mer 3/2.5 $3.255M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1226 Isabel Dr $1.995M.

3 price changes: 1550 Centre St now $199K, 1770 Dixie Beach Blvd now $694K, 6000 White Heron Ln now $795K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Sunset Captiva #204 2/2 now $1.195M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings

2 price changes: 11509 Chapin Ln 4/4 now $1,999,999; 16163 Captiva Dr 3/2 now $2.495M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Until next Friday, hope you have enjoyable weather too! & pickleball, spaghetti, shells, & bath tubs! For island real estate, give SanibelSusan a call!

Susan Andrews

Sea Turtles, Shells, Sunshine = Sanibel Summer

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Hooray for a week of nice weather in sunny Southwest Florida – an occasional few raindrops here and there, but not enough to disturb those enjoying the outdoors. Shelling continues to be excellent with local papers still posting multiple photos of happy junonia finders.junonia shell

About the only negative we’ve heard lately is about mosquitoes and noseeums. A good reason to lather up if you plan to be on the beaches and waterways at sunup or sundown.

No Caravan Meeting this week at the islands Association of Realtors® and not much real estate action was posted in the local Multiple Listing Service. That MLS activity follows a couple of news items below.

Florida Voters to Consider Permanent Cap on Annual Non-Homestead Property Tax Assessments

henderson-franklinGood article on-line today (June 23, 2017) in “Legal Scoop on Southwest Florida Real Estate” by Austin Turner of Henderson Franklin, Attorneys at Law:

“With Florida’s 2017 Regular Session officially adjourned on May 8, 2017, only 203 bills (of the total 1,606 general bills filed) survived both chambers of the Legislature.

“From the handful of legislation that ultimately passed this year, Joint Resolution CS/HJR 21 was enacted. This resolution proposes an amendment to the State’s Constitution that would limit a local government’s authority to assess non-homestead real property for purposes of ad valorem taxation.\

“Background – Under Florida’s Constitution, ad valorem taxation is expressly reserved to local governments. The state is prohibited from levying ad valorem taxes on real and tangible personal property.

When preparing an annual assessment, the State Constitution also generally requires that all property be assessed at just value (i.e., market value) on January 1st of each year. Thereafter, such assessments are used to calculate property taxes to fund counties, municipalities, district school boards and certain special districts.

“Florida’s Existing Limitations on Assessments for Non-Homestead Property –For real property that has not qualified for a homestead exemption under the applicable provisions of ch.196, Florida Statutes, Florida’s voters approved a 2008 constitutional amendment which now limits the authority of local governments to increase non-homestead property tax assessments in excess of 10% each year (not applicable to school board assessments, years following a qualified improvement, or any year property undergoes a change in ownership or control).

“Under the provisions previously approved by the 2008 amendment, Florida’s annual limitation on increases for non-homestead assessments is scheduled to expire on January 1, 2019.

“CS/HJR 21 – Following the Legislature’s recent passage of Joint Resolution CS/HJR 21, a new constitutional amendment will now be proposed to Florida’s voters during the 2018 general election which, if approved by a supermajority (60%) of voters, will permanently extend our state’s current 10% annual cap on non-homestead ad valorem tax assessments.

“So What’s the Legal Scoop? As this legislation will not be subject to a gubernatorial veto, Florida’s new constitutional amendment will become effective on January 1, 2019, if it is approved by the 2018 electorate.

Given the number of flourishing local businesses, vacation rentals, and secondary homes throughout Southwest Florida, which have recently benefitted from the 10% annual cap on non-homestead ad valorem assessments, a strong voter turnout in support of this measure is expected in 2018.

“If you have any general questions regarding ad valorem property taxes in Florida or the recent approval of CS/HJR 21, please feel free to contact Austin at 239-344-1178 or via email at austin.turner@henlaw.com.”

Sea Turtle Nesting Season Is On a Roll

Loggerhead turtleFrom an email last Friday, Jun 16, from SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation):

“We now have a total of 8 green sea turtle nests, including one on the East End! We also have 363 loggerhead nests (262 on Sanibel and 101 on Captiva).

“We’ve been extremely busy in the best way possible. Last week our night team, who have been tagging loggerheads after nesting, have seen 31 individuals, including 8 recaptures. On Thursday of last week, they encountered 11 sea turtles in one night – a record for SCCF!

sea-turtle-eggs“And early today we put a satellite transmitter on our third green sea turtle! She nested very late in the night and our team was able to release her this morning. SCCF is grateful that Dave Addison from the Conservancy of Southwest Florida invited us to participate in this project. Doing so will allow us to learn more about the greens nesting in Southwest Florida.

“Please remember to share the beach with these amazing creatures by turning off all lights on the beach (including cell phone lights), bringing in beach furniture, and filling in any holes. “Here are the nest counts as of today (6/17/2017:

Loggerhead Nests – Sanibel East 67, Sanibel West 195, Captiva 101, Total 363

Green Nests – Sanibel East 1, Sanibel West 7, Captiva 0, Total 8

Loggerhead False Crawls – Sanibel East 144, Sanibel West 285, Captiva 88, Total 517

Green False Crawls – Sanibel East 0, Sanibel West 5, Captiva 0, Total 5.”

Owners, Appraisers Disagree on Home Values

Quicken Loans logoiAs posted in “Daily Real Estate News” last Thurs, June 15, 2017:

“Homeowners feel like their homes are worth more than what appraisers say they are, and the gap between the two estimated values has grown for the 6th consecutive month, according to Quicken Loans’ National Home Price Perception Index.

“Appraised values were, on average, 1.93% lower than what homeowners expected, according to the index. Appraisals are drifting farther from owner estimates, even though their assessments continue to rise higher each month, the index shows.”

On island, with business so seasonal and appraisers needing to use recent comparables, it can be challenging getting good appraisals in late summer/fall. It’s always important for owners to recognize that location often plays the major role in an appraisal. The “where it is”, can influence the value, more than the “what it is”. In most cases, values are based on what a consumer has paid, rather than replacement cost.

Sanibel Boat Ramp Rehab

Sanibelcityseal logoCity construction of the Sanibel boat ramp rehabilitation project at 888 Sextant Dr (next to the causeway bridge) begins Wed, July 5. The boat ramp will be closed from then until Fri, Sep 8, provided the weather cooperates. The picnic areas and rest rooms will stay open. Residents/visitors are encouraged to use the Punta Rassa boat ramp (next to the toll booth) during this time. Lee County Parks and Recreation has an agreement with the City of Sanibel to honor Sanibel’s “C” parking permits during this time.

Upcoming Island Holiday Fun

Indoor Mini-Golf – July 1, 2, 3 at The Community House. 9 holes for $3 with tee times from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Holiday Hog Roast – July 1 at The Community House from 5 to 8 p.m. Proceeds to benefit the newly renovated facility. $10 for adults. $5 for children under 12 for hot dog meal.

27th Island Independence Day Parade – July 4 at 9:30 a.m. Begins at Bailey’s Center & heads down Periwinkle to Casa Ybel Rd. Commemorative tee shirts and tank tops available now at Bank of the Islands. This year’s theme “Preserving the Red, White, & Blue”. A few photos below of the Bailey’s Store entries from last year’s parade.

38th Annual Sanibel-Captiva Road Rally – July 4 at noon from Timbers Restaurant parking lot – register early at http://www.SanCapOptimist.org.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 16 – 23, 2017

sancap GO MLS logoSanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Seashells #40 2/2 $369.9K; Sanctuary Golf Villages #6-2 2/2.5 $649K; Snug Harbor #211 2/2 $799,999; Pointe Santo #E23 2/2 $1.05M; Gulfside Place #124 2/2 $1.25M.

2 price changes: Seashells #11 2/2 now $359K, Nutmeg Village #211 2/2 now $675K.

4 new sales: Tennisplace #A31 2/1.5 listed at $299K, Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 listed at $339,555, Blind Pass #F210 2/2 listed at $459K, Sanibel Arms West #I3 2/2 listed at $519K.

2 closed sales: Sanibel Arms West #H4 2/2 $515K, Sundial East #T202 2/2 $799K.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 673 East Rocks Dr 3/2 now $749,888; 4995 Joewood Dr 4/3 now $2.695M.

2 new sales: 976 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed at $489K, 1918 Ibis Ln 3/3 listed at $629K..

9 closed sales: 4239 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $500K, 2154 Egret Cir 3/2 $525K, 5105 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3 $600K, 1862 Farm Trl 3/2 $635K, 1114 Sabal St 2/2 $670K, 5739 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 $750K, 687 Anchor Dr 4/3 $1.235M, 513 Lighthouse Way 3/3 $1.45M, 4190 Dingman Dr 4/3.5 $1.825M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 9226 Kincaid Ct $190K.

1 price change: 1311 Par View Dr now $277K.

1 new sale: 2441 & 2453 Los Colony Rd listed at $179K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Tennis Villas #3127 1/1 listed at $260K, Beach Homes #9 4/3.5 listed at $2.95M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 43 Oster Ct 2/2.5 now $819K.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

(This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its 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 general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

17.Until next Friday, hope you enjoy your summer!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

 

Another Week of Fabulous Island Weather

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All is well again this week at SanibelSusan Realty. Another seven days of beautiful sunny warm weather have kept most visitors busy with outdoor activities. The following photos, I snapped with my cell phone this morning at Beach Access #6 on Sanibel’s West Gulf Drive.

Access 6 #1Access 6 #2

Below are a few news items, followed by the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Realtors June Membership Meeting

San Cap LogoYesterday was the June monthly breakfast membership meeting at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®, a good opportunity for me to announce our new listing at Casa Ybel Resort. The condo was photographed professionally this week so it now is officially on the market.

The following slide show includes the unit and several resort amenities. Click the “Cottage Colony West #136” tab above for more details and a streaming video. This beach-front condo grossed over $92K last year in the easy on-site rental program.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The educational part of yesterday’s Realtor® meeting was a presentation by Sanibel City Manager, Judie Zimomra, and Lt. Bill Dalton of the Sanibel Police Department. Covering “hurricane season preparedness”, they offered some good and timely advice. Here are some of my take-aways:

Lt. Dalton described a study which determined the five areas of the nation that are the hardest to leave during a mandatory evacuation. Here are the worst five – a good example of when it’s not good to be in 1st position – but our area is, so this is a good reminder to leave early when a storm is heading this way.

  1. Southwest Florida – because of few east/west roadways & limited north/south evacuation routes.
  2. Tampa Bay area – high population & also few ways of egress
  3. Maryland/Northern Virginia/DC area – population
  4. New York/New Jersey – population
  5. Southeast Florida – population.

Another interesting tidbit is that there is a Lee County ordinance that says all county bridges must be closed when wind speed reaches 40 mph. That info brought a question from the floor which was “How do we get over the Caloosahatchee River bridges after leaving the islands.” Answer: “Leave early – before they are closed.” Yikes! That may be a good reason to leave when evacuation is recommended, but before it is mandatory.

Hurricane Charley in 2004 brought high wind to Southwest Florida. (Lt. Dalton reported that the City wind gauge broke when it recorded 143 mph, so the exact top wind speed is unknown.) Charley was a relatively small fast- moving storm. When compared to other larger and slower-moving past storms, if Charley had stayed longer, the storm surge here could have been as much as 17-23 feet, and damage could have covered a much broader area. Good reason to check your insurance coverage now! Hurricane season has begun!

Sanibelcityseal logoIf you are interested in receiving emergency Sanibel notifications, go to the City’s website at www.MySanibel.com and click on the link in the right hand column called “Code Red”. Code Red, Rapid Emergency Notification System, is an emergency telephone network which will text, call, or email you with information whenever the City turns the system on to report an emergency situation. Examples could include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports.

If you are here in the summer or fall, now also is a good time to get your island reentry passes. These have not been needed since after Hurricane Charley, but you will need an up-to-date pass to get back on the island following an evacuation. There are separate passes for residential and commercial and these hang from your rear view mirror (or remain safely in your glove box until needed – hopefully never). Info about these passes also on www.MySanibel.com and at the Sanibel Police Department.

1st Annual National Shell Day a Success

The 1st Annual National Shell Day, a marketing effort in partnership with the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau and promoters of tourism at the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, was the talk of the islands on Monday.

“Good Morning American” weather gal, Ginger Zee, reported live over a 2-hour span from the beach at Sundial Resort where she not only reported the country’s weather, but also introduced their national audience to the “Sanibel stoop”, to Lola (a disabled American kestrel who lives at CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, and to mollusks from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

Garnering the most attention was the Shell Love Bug, which is a used Volkswagen Beetle convertible which was transformed into a sailor’s valentine on wheels thanks to Pam Rambo of ILoveShelling.com and a group of volunteers. (The photos below are from Pam’s web site.)

The Shell Love Bug is traveling around the county this week to promotional events. Here are some fun facts about its creation:

  • $7,000 cost of the 2005 Beetle
  • 20,000+ shells glued onto car
  • 65+ varieties of local shells
  • 60+ volunteers who transformed the car
  • 60+ tubes of “Marine Goop” adhesive for attaching the shells!

Americans Are Feeling Wealthier, More Upbeat

realtor logo“Realtor®Mag” on line on Monday has the following article sourced to “Daily Real Estate News” and “Fannie Mae”:

“Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index zoomed to an all-time high in May as consumers get more upbeat about their paychecks and home selling. In May, the index reached a reading of 85.3, which follows an 18-month low reached in March.

“Three of six components the index measures registered increases last month, led by a 7 percentage point increase in the number of consumers reporting significantly higher income than a year ago. Also, the number of consumers who expect home prices to increase over the next 12 months rose 5 percentage points. Consumers were also upbeat that mortgage rates would decrease over the next year as well.

fannie-mae-logo“That said, the index indicator on whether it’s a “good time to buy” dropped 1 percentage point to an all-time survey low in May.

““Continued home price appreciation has been squeezing housing affordability, driving a two-year downward trend in the share of consumers who think it’s a good time to buy a home,” says Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. “The current low mortgage rate environment has helped ease this pressure, and fewer than half of consumers expect rates to go up in the next year. While the May increase in income growth perceptions could provide further support to prospective home buyers as the spring/summer home-buying season gains momentum, the effect may be muted by May’s discouraging jobs report.”

“Here’s a closer look at additional findings from Fannie Mae’s latest index reading:

  • 29% of Americans say now is a good time to buy a home, a drop of 1 percentage point from March and an all-time survey low for the second consecutive month.
  • 52% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell a home – an all-time survey high.
  • 42% of Americans believe that home prices will go up.
  • 72% of Americans say they are not concerned with losing their job, a drop of 2 percentage points from March.
  • 18% of Americans say their household income is significantly higher than it was a year ago, up 7 percentage points from March and at an all-time survey high.”

Buyers Gaining Upper Hand in Luxury Market

wall street journalPosted last week in “Daily Real Estate News, sourced to “The Wall Street Journal”, June 15, 2016:

“The number of luxury homes for sale is growing, and that is unlocking some deals for potential buyers, The Wall Street Journal reports. Indeed, inventory of homes priced between $500,000 to $750,000 increased nearly 16% in March compared to a year ago, according to data from NAR. What’s more, inventory for real estate priced more than $1 million increased 12.6% year-over-year.

“As more expensive homes linger on the market, buyers are finding more bargaining power.

“For sellers, this may be a tough realization that the power is shifting. Shannon Baird, a broker with Living Room Realty in Portland, Ore., says that a major challenge is changing the mindset of home sellers who are hearing news of quick sales and bidding wars. But that’s not the case in the upper price bracket in many markets.

“Stock market volatility has made some wealthy buyers more cautious to jump into a big home purchase at the moment. Also, fewer foreign buyers are on the market as the dollar strengthens, says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “The stock market has come back up, but we don’t know yet if that means the upper-end home buying market will begin to return,” Yun says.”

Do You Vote in Lee County?

Ding Darling Society logoIt “yes”, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society’s June 23, 2016 newsletter asks that you “Keep Conserving Lee” and posted the following notice:

“Vote YES for Conservation 20/20.  Support the continued use of tax dollars to conserve important wildlife habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities in Lee County by voting YES for Conservation 20/20 in the November 8, 2016, election. Thanks to 20/20, we were able to fulfill our goal to purchase and protect property at Woodring Point in 2013. We hope to work with the county again in the future on such preservation partnerships.”

Here for July 4th?

4th-of-july-clip-artA few more July 4th events have been announced. Click on the “Upcoming Island Events” tab above for more details.

Here are some photos of where the fireworks could be viewed, including the end of Bailey Road (1st group of photos) and the end of Dixie Beach Boulevard (2nd group)– or anywhere on the bay side of the island.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 17-24, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #462 2/2 $539K, Cottage Colony West #136 1/1 $649K (our listing).

3 price changes: Seashells #38 2/2 now $372K, Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 now $619K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3-3 2/2.5 now $650K.

1 new sale: Compass Point #151 3/3 listed at $1.195M.

2 closed sales: Bayview Village #2A 3/3 $675K, Island Beach Club #330C 2/2 $760K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 3792 Coquina Dr 3/3 $1.049M, 6111 SanibelCaptiva Rd 5/4/3 $27M.

2 price changes: 1429 Jamaica Dr 3/3 now $769K, 243 Southwinds Dr 4/2.5 now $1.075M.

3 new sales: 676 Emeril Ct 3/2 listed at $729.9K, 2311 Starfish Ln 4/3 listed at $1.249M, 1520 Angel Dr 4/3/2 listed at $1.279M. 

1 closed sale: 1658 Sabal Palm Dr $852.5K.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 2988+2993 Wulfert Rd listed at $899K.

1 closed sale: 1310 Par View Dr $331.25K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3238 2/2 $435K.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

(This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its 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 general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

July 3 2015 5Until next Friday, when SanibelSusan Realty Associates will be all decked out for the holiday weekend!
(more pix next week)
Susan Andrews
aka SanibelSusan

Another Happy June on Sanibel/Captiva

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sun & rainIt’s SanibelSusan reporting that in typical fashion, the islands’ 23rd Annual Sam Bailey Islander Night at Hammond Stadium Wednesday night again was rained out. After several weeks of beautiful weather, it should have been no surprise when the first big downpour of the rainy season began just as the parade was scheduled to start. It has happened many times before and June 1 is the beginning of hurricane season.

Continuing the summer trend, more showers are expected later today and through the weekend with all of us watching the tropical storm expected to develop in the gulf early next week. That certainly will not make next week’s vacationers happy, but may result in good shelling and more folks wanting to view property.

At SanibelSusan Realty

Activity-wise in the office, it has been quiet. Even the holiday weekend was very quiet, probably weather-related, as all days were fabulous for the beach. A few listings shown and some phone/email inquiries, but not many – certainly nothing like when it’s snowing somewhere!

Yesterday, The SanibelSusan Team was happy to receive a new listing at Beachcomber (gulf-front ~2600 sq. ft.) which will be posted in the islands’ Multiple Listing Service as soon as we receive a couple of clarifications from the sellers.

View 3.JPG

View from our new listing at Beachcomber #A102

 

May is always an in-between month here, post “high” season, but pre “summer” season. A quick snapshot of the islands’ May real estate sales show that it was not a month with much real estate action.

May Sanibel Sales

In May, were just five new Sanibel home sales with no contingencies (three inland priced under $530K, one on a deep-water canal (asking price $1.545M) and one bay-front in Ferry Landing (asking price $1.995M)).

Another 13 Sanibel homes went under contract with contingencies (four inland priced under $535K, five near the beach (priced from $569K to $600K), one in Beachview (asking $1.195M), one in Gulf Pines (asking $1.479M), one deep-water canal (asking $1.548M), and a unique one across the street from the beach (asking $1.595M)).

In May, Sanibel condos did not have as much action as homes. Just two Sanibel condos went under contract with no contingencies: a 1-bedroom at Sundial (asking $299K) and a recently-remodeled Lighthouse Point bay-front unit (asking $830K).

Another four condos went under contract with contingencies: a Seashells unit (asking $379K), a 1st floor Sanibel Moorings 2 bedrm with peek of gulf (asking $449K), a 3-bedrm Heron-model at The Sanctuary (asking $665K), and a beach-front 2-bedroom at Sanddollar (asking $870K).

During the same time, in May, just two Sanibel lots went under contract: one near beach (asking $244.9K) and one on the bayou (asking $1.295M). Both contracts have contingencies.

May Captiva Sales

In May on Captiva, four homes went under contract with contingencies (two at Sunset Captiva asking $885K and $995K, one gulf-front asking $3.998M, and one on Roosevelt Channel asking $4.8M).

Also in May, three Captiva condos in South Seas Plantation went under contract, all with contingencies. Asking prices ranging from a 1-bedroom Bayside Villas for $289K to a 2-bedroom Tennis Villas for $405K, to a Bayside Villas 3 bedroom for $629.9K

A Captiva gulf-front lot went under contract (with contingencies) in May too, asking price $4.999M.

Below are a few other news items followed by the action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation

ASSOC LogoWednesday, for the fifth year, SanibelSusan taught the Resort & Second-Home module to those Realtors® training to receive their Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation. This designation is a 12-part educational series, offered each summer by the local Association of Realtors. The coursework needs to be completed over a 2-year period and provides instruction to those looking to specialize in working the Sanibel/Captiva market.

2016 Resort ClassI authored the module that I teach, update it each year, and always enjoy the teaching experience – getting as much in return as I give. It was especially fun this year since my students ranged from some new Realtors® to those with many years of real estate experience, but in other parts of the country.

Here are my students adorned in the funny resort-wear they earned for answering questions correctly in my pop quiz.

1st National Seashell Day

As reported in Monday’s “Santiva-Chronicle”:

2016 National Seashell Day“As the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau said, it’s official. June 20 has been proclaimed National Seashell Day. The news is also out that the first National Seashell Day will be on Good Morning America.

“The VCB (Visitors Convention Bureau) already has a National Seashell Day page on its website. Visitors to the page can enter the “Shell Yeah! Sweepstakes,” for which the grand prize is three nights for four at Sanibel Inn, a Captiva Cruises shelling cruise to Cayo Costa and the chance to go shelling with Pam Rambo. The grand prize is enough to make any Sanibel sheller nod with approval.

“Rambo had the news about Good Morning America on her amazing blog iloveshelling.com. The blog says Ginger Zee, Good Morning America and ABC’s chief meteorologist, will be here on June 20. We don’t know the exact details yet other than it will be in the morning….

“The VCB’s idea for National Seashell Day will get the word out to people of all places about the wonders of shells on our beaches, which is good for anything having to do with shells. The VCB also hopes it will be a driver for tourism….”

Fishing Pier Rehab Project

sanibel fishing pier.jpgOn Tuesday next week (June 6), the Sanibel Fishing Pier at Lighthouse Beach Park will be closed temporarily due to a necessary rehabilitation project. Construction is expected to continue through August 2016.

Top 10 Outdoor Features, Where Most Are, & What They’ll Pay

realtor.comPosted in Tuesday’s “DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS”, you will see Naples, FL on the list below. Buyers all over Southwest Florida like outdoor kitchens!

“As temperatures heat up, more home owners and buyers are taking a closer look at their home’s outdoor features. Realtor.com®’s research team took a look at 10 popular outdoor home features to find the premium that owners will pay. They also identified the regions of the country that are most likely to feature these popular outdoor amenities.

Amenity                        Premium           Where You’ll Most Likely Find Them

Tree houses                     5.2%                Asheville, N.C.

Gazebo                              7.6%                McAllen, Texas

Putting green                 11.4%               Phoenix

Hot tub                             11.8%               Bend, Ore.

Tiki bar                             13.8%               Key West, Fla.

Tennis court                   14.6%               Los Angeles

Outdoor fireplace           21.5%               Dallas, Texas

Outdoor kitchen             26.2%               Naples, Fla.

Private dock                     44.7%               Traverse City, Mich.

Infinity pool                      56%                 Kahului, Hawaii”

Red-Hot South Florida Home Prices Are Cooling Off

miami herald logoMuch like island Realtors® often look to activity in larger complexes and communities here as bellwethers of the local market, we also look to bigger East Coast communities to foretell what may be in the future. The below article is from the May 31 “Miami Herald”.

“So far in 2016, South Florida home prices are growing at the slowest pace since the real-estate market began to recover four years ago.

“Home prices in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties rose 6.2% between March 2015 and March 2016, according to the closely watched S&P/Case Shiller Home Price Indices. They grew 8.7% between March 2014 and March 2015, and at a double-digit clip for much of 2013 and 2014, fueled mainly by red-hot demand from foreign investors. But a strong dollar and troubled economies abroad have stymied the flow of cash into local real estate.

“Residential home sales fell in Miami-Dade in April, according to Realtors’ data. Weak demand could help make homes more affordable for locals — if wage growth keeps picking up and developers start building more units for the lower tiers of the market.

“The nation’s hottest housing markets are in Portland (12.3%), Seattle (10.8%), Denver (10%), San Francisco (8.5%) and Dallas (8.5%). Home prices in the Tampa area (7.6%) also grew faster than they did in Miami in March.”

Sanibel Prescribed Burns Begin Today

Sanibelcityseal logoAs described in an earlier update, Sanibel will have prescribed burns in six different areas this summer, so if you are on the island today do not be surprised if you smell smoke.

SCCF logoSCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the City of Sanibel are scheduled to perform a prescribed burn of about 19 acres of the Sanibel Gardens Preserve today. (That’s just west of Tarpon Bay Rd. on Island Inn Rd.)

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 27-June 3, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Colonnades #8 1/1 $229K, Sandalfoot #5A1 2/2 $799K.

1 price change: Tanglewood #1A 3/2 now $1,163,999.

1 new sale: Blind Pass #A102 2/2 listed at $399K.

3 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #E2 1/1 $347.5K, Loggerhead Cay #474 2/2 $489.9K, Donax Village #14 2/2 $505K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 732 Windlass Way 4/3.5 $1.395M.

5 price changes: 1478 Albatross Rd 3/2 now $679K, 242 Christofer Ct 3/2 now $729K, 232 Robinwood Cir 4/3 now $1.195M, 932 Whelk Dr 3/3 now $1.449M, 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $1.75M.

3 new sales: 376 Lake Murex Blvd 3/2 listed at $598K, 1245 Isabel Rd 3/3.5 listed at $1.548M, 4257 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed at $4.495M

9 closed sales: 575 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $410K, 2114 Egret Cir 3/2 $475K, 1322 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $500K, 1380 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $570K, 5303 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $622K, 5267 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $750K, 595 Birdsong Pl 4/2 $835K, 2388 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $1M, 283 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2 $1.675M.

LOTS

3 new listings: 9426 Sage Ct $287K, 223 Robinwood Cir $299K, 2288 Starfish Ln $499K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 3013 Poinciana Cir listed at $244.9K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Tennis Villas #3231 2/2 listed at $405K, Bayside Villas #5302 3/3 listed at $629.9K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

3 closed sales: 19 Urchin Ct 2/2.5 $855K, 15 Seascape Ct 3/2.5 $985K, 16500 Captiva Dr 5/5 $4.225M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

(This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its 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 general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

rain‘til next Friday, here’s hoping the raindrops stay away & the sunsets continue like the one below!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

sanibel sunset pinterest.jpg