Following up on grumblings last week about heavy traffic, there was a huge reprieve on Monday after holiday visitors left and Lee County Schools reopened. As teammates reminded, there usually is a 2+week window after New Year’s until traffic picks up with more snowbird returns. Then it should be busy again through February and March, or until Easter.
Weather-wise, as islanders watched much of the country experience snow and freezing cold, a cool front passed through Florida Sunday night. That resulted in us enjoying lower humidity and breezy sweater weather both Monday and Tuesday. The forecaster now says the muggy meter is amping up again with warm weather expected until the next cool front which is scheduled to arrive next week when it again may dip into the low 70’s during the day. That’s the best winter weather!
I took a quick spin down to the lighthouse this afternoon on my way back to the office. Christmas décor is gone and bay/gulf waters are looking good. Here are a few pix from 1:30 p.m. when my car said the temperature was 78 degrees F.
Real Estate Scoop
At SanibelSusan Realty, teammate Dave had a busy week accompanying home inspections both Monday and Tuesday, followed by a contractor visit to one of the properties today. With many year-end closings and our island inventory list updated, we all have been working on the database for our big annual mailout which we hope to send out later this month.
Meanwhile, we are working on closing activities for our five sales and beating the bushes looking for new listings. As of this afternoon, according to the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service, there are just 12 condos, 20 homes, and 19 lots for sale on Sanibel – even fewer on Captiva, just four condos and eight homes for sale.
At the state level, Florida Realtors® 2022 Mid-Winter Business Meetings in Orlando are coming up. Many of the meetings again this year are being offered via Zoom as well as in person. I will be attending the Resort and Second Home Think Tank later today, and next week will be at the Forms Content Committee Meeting and the Legal and Professional Standards Update.
On Sanibel, our annual Association of Realtors® lnstallation and Awards Breakfast is next Thursday at The Community House.
The action posted since last Friday in the islands MLS follows a couple of news items below.
Buyers Who Waited for Lower Prices May Regret It
Here’s an article posted at FloridaRealtors® on-line on Dec 20, 2021 and sourced to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel:
“Some buyers postponed searches, assuming prices would drop as they did in the last recession. But now homes they once considered are financially out of reach.
“FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – As South Florida home prices spiked during the pandemic, some people decided to put their home shopping on pause in the hopes that prices might drop, a decision they are coming to regret.
“Now, a year-and-a-half into record price growth and dwindling inventory, non-buyers are stuck in a precarious situation: they want to buy but are facing higher prices than they did when they first started searching, and they’re finding themselves at risk of being priced out of the South Florida real estate market…. Homes prices jumped, no slowdown in sight.
“Homes prices skyrocketed in South Florida during the pandemic, as intense demand from out of state buyers dovetailed with historically low inventory to create an intense seller’s market where buyers were often faced with paying over asking price and losing out in bidding wars.
“In a market where it’s common for buyers to lose out and face multiple bidding wars, it can cause home shoppers to get discouraged and more hesitant to buy, explained Brian Pearl, principal agent with the Pearl Antonacci Group in Boca Raton. “I’ve had buyers regret waiting more recently, given that the market hasn’t slowed down like they thought it would by now,” he added.
“He’s not the only Realtor to have clients face this issue. Jeff Creegan with Re/MAX Services in Boca Raton said about 30-40% of his clients in the last year end up trying to wait out the housing market. Many were wary of buying in the spring or even last summer as they watched prices skyrocket, only to see them rise even more as the year comes to a close. The overall sentiment, he said, is that they made a mistake in trying to wait out the market.
“Now, as they begin to look again, buyers say they are greeted with homes that are $100,000 more expensive. As a result, Creegan said, “They are looking in different markets, like in Southwest Florida or more affordable markets.”
“In February of 2021, the median sale price of a home in Miami Dade County was $450,000, a 21% increase from the year before, according to numbers from the Broward, Palm Beach and St. Lucie Realtors. For Broward County, the median sale price of a home was $433,000, a 12% increase from the year before. For Palm Beach County, the median sale price of a home was $450,000, a 24% increase from the year prior.
“Flash forward to October of 2021, when median sale prices rose 19% from the year before in Palm Beach County to $500,000 in October. For Broward County, the median sale price of a home was $489,000 in October, a 17.8% annual increase. In Miami Dade County, the numbers shot up 12.6% to $490,000 for October….
“The housing crash of 2007 is likely still fresh in a lot of potential buyers’ mind, noted Eli Beracha, director of the Hollo School of Real Estate at Florida International University, and is potentially one of the reasons that they are trying to wait out the housing market. Beracha also noted, however, that the forces fueling this housing market are different. “We had an excess of supply last time [in 2007]; we don’t have that this time. If you don’t have excess supply, it’s hard for the market to correct in a significant way.” In other words, he does not see a dramatic bust in our future.
“Out-of-state home shopper Dr. Ketang Modi, his wife and two daughters are making the move from New Jersey to Broward County and are looking for a home that is around 4,500 square feet with a minimum of four bedrooms. When they searched previously, they looked at homes in a community in Davie that were priced around $1.2 million, and now, four months later, prices are hitting $1.6 million, prompting him and his family to consider renting to wait out the market. “Everything is overpriced,” he lamented. “I’m not sure when there will be a correction or when prices will stabilize.””
Expected Market Drivers in 2022
Several real estate forecasters have published their 2-cents worth on what 2022 will bring to the business. Here are some favorites that likely apply to real estate on Sanibel & Captiva.
International Buyers – For years, Florida has been a favored destination for international buyers, mostly those from Canada and Europe. That trend came to an abrupt stop with COVID travel restrictions in early 2020. Now that borders are reopening, a surge of international buying is expected with more action expected than in the past two years. Florida is the top state for wealthy individuals and families who want to acquire residences outside their home country.
Listings from Baby Boomers – Demand for homes is expected to continue to outpace supply. Nationally, boomers (those 55 to 75) own 42% of homes. With many facing health issues, including mobility, which can impact their ability to live independently. This generation controls the single-family home inventory with a huge portion of these homes coming on the market in the next few years.
Affordability – Gen Z and millennials are posed to enter Florida’s housing market – provided they can afford it. In the past two years, real estate prices have risen dramatically with no sign of a downturn in 2022. Many prospective buyers – all ages – already are finding they are priced out of the island market.
Inflation – Inflation returned to the U.S. economy in 2021. From construction materials to home appliances and automobiles, supply chain shortages are pushing prices up for consumers. A global energy shortage is also increasing prices of gasoline, oil, and natural gas. While some economists expect these pressures to subside in 2022, changes in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) and the Federal Reserve actions that affect interest and mortgage rates also may affect real estate sales.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 31 – January 
7, 2021
Sanibel
CONDOS
1 new listing: Pointe Santo #C26 2/2 $1.279M.
No price changes.
3 new sales: Breakers West #C2 2/2 listed at $749K, Sand Pointe #222 2/2 listed at $1.125M, Tarpon Beach #110 2/2 listed at $1.35M.
5 closed sales: Sundial #H410 1/1 $422.5K, Seashells #43 2/2 $588K, BlindPass #A202 2/2 $610K, Breakers West #C4 2/2 $692K, Sanibel Surfside #213 2/2 $875K.
HOMES
9 new listings: 1948 Roseate Ln 2/2 $769K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $925K, 1133 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $945K, 1398 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $995K, 1251 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $1.05M, 2695 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 $1.895M, 500 Kinzie Island Ct 3/3 $2.295M, 5415 Osprey Ct 3/3 $2.495M, 4322 West Gulf Dr 4/3.5 $3.45M.
No price changes.
4 new sales: 1948 Roseate Ln 2/2 listed at $769K, 1305 Par View Dr 3/4 listed at $1.749M, 2695 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 listed at $1.895M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 listed at $2,999,999.
5 closed sales: 534 Piedmont Rd 3/2.5 $725K, 3840 West Gulf Dr 3/2.5 $1.596M, 1220 Morningside Pl 6/4 $1.8M, 1356 Eagle Run Dr 5/5.5 $2.145M, 927 Kings Crown Dr 3/3.5 $2.295M.
LOTS
Nothing to report.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings or price changes.
1 new sale: Beach Villas #2236 2/2 listed at $1.3M.
2 closed sales: Beach Villas #2626 1/1 $684K, Bayside Villas #4306 3/3 $935K.
HOMES & 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.
Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.
Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society Bird Walk – Sat, Jan 1 on Wildlife Dr at J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge at 9 a.m. Meet in overflow parking lot on left as you enter the Refuge. On a side note, the Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count conducted Sun, Dec 18, with 108 participants counted a total of 10,869 birds comprised of 96 different species. The results of the San-Cap count are reported to the National Audubon Society and will become part of the 122nd Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The overall count was below average. Warm temperatures up north may have delayed migrations could have played a part.
Realtors® were noticed this week (see letter below) following amendment approvals to Captiva’s land development code by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. The new code revisions are shown below in red while some rule reminders are included too:
Sanibel
Happy New Year! Wishing your good health & safety, happiness & colorful sunsets in 2022!
The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently announced a new 2022 class lineup for adults. Taught by museum Curator and Science Director Dr Jose H. Leal, senior marine biologist Rebecca Mensch, and professor of drawing with Florida Gulf Coast university Ehren Gerhard, the spring lineup includes:
In their Wed, e-mail update, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) posted a link to this article:
Posted last weekend by Florida Realtors® and sourced to The Associated Press:
Sanibel
Happy holidays!
Susan here, reporting that Florida warm weather continued this week with daytime temperatures in the high 70’s to mid-80 degrees F. Island roadways have been getting busier by the day with early arrivals of holiday visitors.
Our phones were noticeably quieter this week, probably with many shopping and concentrating on upcoming celebrations.
This morning, I had a pre-closing walk-through and seller document signing at Superior Title, before the actual buyer walk-through on Sunday, and closing on Monday. Title companies are super busy in December with many sales to finalize before the end of the year. We always appreciate when some of the closing activities can be done before the actual closing day, especially with holidays fast approaching. That will be our last closing of 2021 and a nice one to report next week.
Always fun this time of the year to remember some familiar tunes that have been modified to fit our island paradise. Here are a couple of songs that the BIG ARTS Community performed in past years and still apropos now. Bet if you read the words, you start humming.
This one with words modified by Mike Bugler is to the tune of ”Here Comes Santa Claus”:
Yesterday was the December membership breakfast meeting at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®. Chauncey Goss, former Sanibel City Councilor and son of Sanibel’s first mayor was the guest speaker. With a long career in public service, Chauncey currently is Chairman of the governing board of the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD). Here are few highlights from his presentation:
SFWMD began in 1949 and expanded as a result of the Water Responsibilities Act of 1972. Today several projects are underway that are part of the solution to improving Florida’s water quality. The C-44 reservoir project which mostly affects the St. Lucie River and Florida’s east coast was just completed in November. The filling of that reservoir has just begun. This is the first major project to be completed in 21 years. (I can attest to that with our local and state Realtors® working hard during that time to keep water issues in the hearts and minds of FL property owners and their legislators. The fight must continue as water is a major ingredient in real estate here.)
Chauncey offered some distance references to put the expansive work of SFWMD in perspective. Would you believe the distance of the waterways they manage is like from going from here to Quebec. Over a million acres are under their management including some big marshes which are wonderful not only for the protection they provide, but for birdwatching!
expected to complete in May 2022. About 67% complete now, you can see it on the right on Rte 80 on way to LaBelle. The storage reservoir for that project is expected to be completed in Dec 2023 and will be ~3 miles by 6 miles (that’s like half the size of Sanibel).
At their Dec 7 Lee County Board of County Commissioners meeting, funds were approved for local beach and shoreline projects including approximately $2.43 million for Sanibel/Captiva. The commissioners voted to approve interlocal agreements to fund 17 projects across Lee County using more than $4.5 million tourist development tax dollars. Among the agreements, Sanibel will receive $2,070,100 and the Captiva Erosion Control District (CEPD) will get $358,500.
On Sanibel, the City requested and received in full: $1,605,100 for facility beach maintenance, $225,000 for the Bowman’s Beach bridge replacement, $200,000 for changing room rehabilitation at Bowman’s Park, and $40,000 for beach erosion monitoring.
New Restaurant Alert
SanibelSusan listings had some good action this week, with Dave continuing to hold Open Houses. The activity posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news item below.
More Island Holiday Fun
and invited to view thousands of twinkling lights, visit Santa, taste s’mores, listen to live music, and watch holiday movie classics. The remaining days open to the public are tonight and tomorrow night, Dec 10 and 11, plus Dec 17 and 18 – from 6 to 9 p.m. Stroll tickets are $10 per adult with proceeds helping Captains for Clean Water. Tickets are complimentary for resort guests.
Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11th Annual Community Carol Sing – Sunday, Dec 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. with seating both outside and inside the chapel. More info at 
For about 15 years, The Sanibel Library has been at or near the top ranking in Florida. This year is no exception. The state library rankings are out, and the Sanibel Library ranked number one per capita (per 1,000) for circulation (number of books or items borrowed), availability of print, audio, video, and other materials to check out, website visits per capita, and square footage availability. The ratings are based on Florida Library Statistics which measures 82 libraries and library systems.
Perfect Lawn & Pest Control’s November/December 2021 newsletter highlights some fun facts about Florida. I bet they don’t mind if I give them a shout-out and share them:
Periwinkle Way is getting more festive by the minute as more holiday decorations go up in preparation for Sanibel’s Luminary celebration tonight. The tunnel of lights on the bike path that borders City Park across the street from our office is ready and twinkling. By 5 p.m., luminary candles will be lining the paths too, as many shopping centers and businesses will have special events tonight from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Here is just a partial list:
Also tomorrow, Sat Dec 4 from 3 to 6 p.m. at the Community House is a thank-you reception for retired Sanibel City Manager, Judie Zimomra. Until I met Judie, I thought I was hard working. She beat me by a mile. I once saw her on a Sunday at a car wash. She had a phone in each hand with calls in progress and another electronic device in her lap where she was typing like mad. She is a master at multi-tasking.
Wednesday, we found out clients were the successful offerors on a just-listed home in Gulf Pines. It is always nail-biting when there are multiple showings, which could result in multiple offers. Prospective buyers thinking of making a bid in a situation like this should always make their offer terms the “best”. Best usually means over asking price, with significant deposit(s), “as is”, cash or pre-approved financing, and with a minimal inspection period, if any at all.
December 3, 2021
Luminary, always the first Friday evening in December, is next Friday Dec 3, followed by Captiva’s, the next evening, on the first Saturday or Dec 4. These celebrations are 5 to 9 p.m. when bike paths and roadways are lined with luminary candles and shops/businesses are open offering holiday cheer, special sales, and family events. Below are some upcoming special happenings on and around the islands:
Tween Waters 2021 Tree Lighting Celebration – is today, Friday, Nov 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. following the tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.
guided Holiday Tradition Tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. every night, or attendees may meander at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Guided Inside-the-Homes tours will be offered on Dec 1, 8, and 15 at 6:30 p.m. To view the complete schedule of events, visit 
Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale – begins tomorrow, Saturday Nov 27, and runs through Sunday, Dec 19 (or until they run out). Located at the old gas station in Bailey’s Shopping Center, sales are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed through Sun, offering fresh Michigan Frasier Fir trees, tree stands, & wreaths.
Pre-Luminary Open House at Sanibel Historical Village – featuring “Trees, Timelines, & Special Memories”, village admission is free from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec 3.
Luminary at Jerry’s Center – Friday, Dec 3 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Their celebration includes photos with Santa, Girl Scouts serving hot dogs & soda, live music, wine & food tastings, & more.
It is that time of the year when more listings pop on the market as owners return to get their properties ready for “season”. Some are selling quickly, others taking a little longer. The large ones, particularly on the beach, continue to move best.
At our monthly Association of Realtors® Membership Meeting yesterday, the guest speaker was Florida Realtors® Chief Economist, Dr. Brad O’Connor. Armed with plenty of charts and graphs, it was interesting to hear him speak about how real estate trends in our local Lee County area have been much the same as the state.
Overall, mostly as aftereffects of the pandemic, the state and Lee County have experienced growth and huge increases in both numbers of sales and real estate prices. The most changed has been in what he considers the luxury (or valued over $600K) properties and second homes. Though inventory is low with properties in many areas selling within minutes of becoming available, he noted that markets are stabilizing somewhat with prices flattening.
When quizzed on what his crystal ball predicts for the future, he noted that pre-pandemic Florida already was desirable because of the weather and tax situation here. Now that the pandemic has disrupted the work scenario for many, some proving that working remotely is as effective as in an office, he doesn’t think we will ever go back to how things were from a workplace view.
Our Friday closing in Island Woods that was awaiting a FedEx arrival, was disbursed on Monday. We did both sides of that transaction, which was delayed months. The new City Manager started this week so Realtors®, builders, contractors, property owners, and prospective owners are hopeful that the backlog of City permits will soon be resolved. Meanwhile, this buyer was willing to close without City approval and many businesses are operating with their business licenses in limbo – though permit and license payments were processed. Can you tell some folks are frustrated?
Another listing, Mariner Pointe #1061, closed today, but had a last-minute change when the buyers decided to purchase in an LLC rather than their names personally. Superior Title of Sanibel did a great job in getting it accomplished remotely even with the change and some resigning necessary. The sale price is a record for Mariner Pointe building #10.
Next 40th Taste of the Islands CROW Crawl – is set tomorrow, Nov 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Featured restaurants include Blue Giraffe, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille – Sanibel, Mudbugs Cajum Kitchen, Sanibel Deli, Spoondrift Island Bowls, Sunset Grill, Timbers Restaurant & Fish Market, and Traders 2. For further info visit 
The Art of Conservation – will be featured with signed pieces by artists Rachel Pierce (from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.) and Clyde & Niki Butcher from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at the “Ding” Darling Nature store at 2250 Periwinkle Way, right next to our office tomorrow, Nov 20.
WoW at The Refuge for Thanksgiving – Bring the family to “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge during Thanksgiving week to tour for free the WoW (Wildlife on Wheels) mobile interactive nature experience in the parking lot of the Visitor & Education Center. The day before Thanksgiving and Black Friday, WoW will be open Wed Nov 24 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Fri Nov 6 from 9 a.m. until noon.
Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.
SanibelSusan here reporting that Sanibel and Captiva have had another week of wonderful fall weather. It is getting to be the time of year when we can readily tell the locals from the tourists, the latter being those out-&-about shirtless/tank-tops wearers, some also dressed in bathing suits and shorts. All of this, while we locals are happily in the long sleeves and pants that we haven’t worn since April.
SCCF 29th Annual Tennis Tournament – The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation annual tennis fundraiser Is this weekend, Nov 13 & 14 at Beachview Tennis Club. Spectators are welcome.
Store locations, and Huxter’s Market & Deli. They also may be purchased online at 
73rd Season – Sunday Services at Chapel by the Sea – Sunday interdenominational worship services begin for their 73 season, on Nov 14 at Chapel by the Sea on Captiva. Held weekly at 11 a.m. through the end of April. They will have seating both inside and outside, plus the services will be videotaped and posted on 
Cruises to Historic Tarpon Lodge & Calusa Indian Mounds on Pine Island – Cruises to Tarpon Lodge and the Indian mounds on Pine Island are offered on select Wednesdays from November through April, beginning Nov 17 through Captiva Cruises. More info on 
37th Sanibel & Captiva Luminary Stroll – Dec 3 (Sanibel) & 4 (Captiva), both events are from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Once again, after a reprieve last year, traditional luminary nights return. There will be luminary candles, live entertainment, open houses at businesses, and more. Highlights include Sanibel’s live nativity scene and Captiva’s golf cart parade. For pre-Luminary fun on Sanibel, the Historical Village holiday exhibits will be open with free admission during their open house on Friday, Dec 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.
The end of the 2021 Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin (Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico) Is Nov 30. Hooray! This time often is when islanders empty their emergency hurricane boxes and donate their unused non-perishable food goods to F.I.S.H.
Fall into F.I.S.H.mas 
Sanibel
Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.
Veterans Day – Fee-Free on Wildlife Drive
“Iconic Sanibel Restaurant, Matzaluna Closing, Rebranding Under New Ownership
Don’t forget to “fall back” on Sunday!