Another Friday is here and It has been another mixed week of sunshine and raindrops. Roadways have sometimes been a little flooded, but the City has been doing a good job in monitoring those areas.
With local schools back in session, island visitor traffic which was already down is light. Many accommodations are advertising deep discounts for multi-day stays through the end of September. I have heard good reports from many recent visitors, back for the first time since Ian. They offer kudos to the many shop, restaurant, and business owners and their employees who have made their vacations so special. It is not just nature, lifestyle, and ambience, they say, “It’s the great people here that bring island experiences up a notch.”

View from Sundial R401 08-15-2025
Lee County TRIM Notices
Lee County notices of proposed property taxes are usually mailed mid-August so be on the lookout for yours if you own one of the 530,000 parcels the county is required to evaluate every year. The Tax Appraiser’s website is easy to maneuver and describes how the process tax works and how market value is determined each January 1.
The website also is helpful for those looking to buy so they understand how taxes change following a sale. This year the TRIM notices also will include info on how Hurricanes Ian, Helene, and Milton affected the values. If you want to check info about any property in Lee County, go to www.LeePA.org.
Punta Rassa Boat Ramp
Lee County announced the ribbon-cutting for the soft opening of the Punta Rassa Boat Ramp and conclusion of FDOT’s causeway project will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, August 21, followed by the ramp reopening at noon. The limited amenities then available include the ramp, partial docks, parking, and rest rooms. Work will continue for several months with future improvements to include completed dock access, fish cleaning station, landscaping, and additional lighting.
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors
The island Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but next Thursday is our August membership meeting with guest speaker Tamara Pigott, Executive Director of the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau. A caravan of open houses will follow.
Seven new sales have been posted in the SanCap MLS since last Friday, all on Sanibel – five condos and two homes. On a positive note, there have not been that many condo sales in a single week in a very long time.
Some have asked where the closed sales year-to-date have been? A quick summary of the number of sales by property type and complex community are shown below. Though many complexes/communities have not yet had a closed sale this year, the mix is expanding as restoration continues.
Sanibel Closed Sales as of 8/15/2025
Condos Homes & (Residential Lots)
Complex – # sales Community – # sales (lots in parentheses)
Beach Road Villas – 1 Anchors Aweigh – 1
Beachcomber – 1 Bayside Village – 1
Blind Pass – 4 Beachview Country Club Estates – 4
By-the-Sea – 1 Caloosa Shores – 2
Captains Walk – 6 Castaway Estates – 1
Colonnades – 2 Cats Paw – 2
Cottage Colony West – 1 Del Sega – 1
Donax Village – 1 The Dunes – 8
Gulfside Place – 1 Ferry Landing – 1
Heron at The Sanctuary – 3 Gulf Pines – 4
Island Beach Club – 2 Gulf Ridge – 1
LaPlaya – 1 Gulf Shores – 3 (1)
Lighthouse Point – 3 Gumbo Limbo – 8
Loggerhead Cay – 3 Harbour Cottages – 1
Nutmeg Village – 1 Island Woods – 2
Oceans Reach – 7 Jamestown Beachview – 1
Pointe Santo – 1 Kiinzie Island – 1
Sandalfoot – 2 Lagoon Estates – 1
Sandpebble – 1 Lake Murex – 1
Sandpiper Beach – 3 Lane-Cochran – 1
Sandpiper West – 1 Leisure Acres – 1
Sanibel Inn – 1 Little Lake Murex – 1
Sanibel Moorings – 1 Metes & Bounds – 9
Sanibel Surfside – 1 Palm Lake – 1
Sayana – 1 Richardsons – 1
Seascape – 2 Rocks East – 3
Somerset – 2 Rocks West – 2
Sundial East – 3 Sabal Sands – 1
Sundial West – 5 The Sanctuary – 5
Sunset South – 1 Sanibel Bayous – 2
Tanglewood – 1 Sanibel Estates – 6 (1)
Sanibel Highlands – 3
Sanibel Lake Estates – 2
Sanibel Pines – 1
Sanibel River Estates – 1
Sanibel Shores – 2
Sanibel Woodlands – 1
Sea Gate – 2
Sea Oats – 7
Seagull Estates – 3
Shell Harbor – 6
Tradewinds – (1)
Water Shadows – 1
Whisperwood Cove – 2
White Heron – 1 (1)
Wilcox – 1
Woodring – 1
For those that ask if the market is improving. Truth is there are opportunities and price reductions continue. Adjustments make sense. Price changes are not red flags but rather an indication on how the market is moving. Sellers willing to negotiate may win. Waiting for the perfect buyer when there is so much inventory could take time.
A local banker asked me just yesterday if the market is still terrible. That depends on your position. Savy buyers are benefiting, but for Sanibel sellers, today, at year-to-date rate of sales, there are 15 months of condo inventory, 10 months of homes, and seven years of residential lots. On Captiva, there are 32 months of condo inventory, 39 months of homes, and no residential lot sales since 2021. Overall inventory will increase as winter gets closer and recovery continues, hopefully that also brings more buyers.
Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.
| SANIBEL
RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale: | 139 | 958.903 | 190 | 157 | 1,528,322 | 165 | 42 | 1,252,250 | 283 |
| Under contract | 13 | 753,530 | 178 | 15 | 1,199,230 | 130 | 2 | 589,450 | 429 |
| Sold to 8/15/25 | 64 | 777,077 | 123 | 111 | 1,401,208 | 131 | 4 | 1,095,000 | 79 |
| Sold 2024 | 75 | 818,493 | 117 | 165 | 1,472,757 | 114 | 15 | 1,403,533 | 192 |
| Sold 2023 | 98 | 955,261 | 65 | 263 | 1,267,390 | 73 | 24 | 920,645 | 76 |
| Sold 2022 | 123 | 1,136,199 | 44 | 185 | 1,602,745 | 52 | 26 | 779,528 | 223 |
| Sold 2021 | 287 | 875,127 | 113 | 355 | 1,341,881 | 89 | 69 | 698,862 | 442 |
| CAPTIVA
RESIDENTIAL |
CONDOS | HOMES | LOTS | ||||||
| # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | # | Avg Price | DOM | |
| For sale: | 46 | 1,272,380 | 222 | 28 | 5,796,000 | 238 | 2 | 12,000,000 | 453 |
| Under contract | 1 | 325,000 | 460 | 2 | 1,547,000 | 106 | 0 | N/A | N/A |
| Sold to 8/15/25 | 10 | 993,500 | 249 | 5 | 1,835,400 | 115 | 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 Aug 8-15
Sanibel
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Shell Island Beach Club #7B 2/2 now $899K (SanibelSusan listing).

At Shell Island Beach Club
5 new sales: Cottage Colony West #102 1/1 listed at $469.5K, Sandpebble #4A 2/2 listed at $495K, Sundial #J404 2/2 listed at $729K, Kings Crown #308 2/2 listed at $799K, Sandalfoot #1A2 2/2 listed at $849K.
1 closed sale: Blind Pass #D105 2/2 $500K.
HOMES
No new listings.
1 back-on-market: 5770 Pine Tree Dr 3/2.5 $1.2M.
4 price changes: 837 Casa Ybel Rd (duplex) 2/2 now $465K, 9056 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $1.595M, 1537 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 now $1.7M, 2190 Camino del Mar Dr 4/3.5 now $2.495M.
2 new sales: 1637 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 listed at $949K, 5300 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 listed at $997,555.
2 closed sales: 980 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 $780K, 1002 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 $1.05M.
LOTS
Nothing to report.
CAPTIVA
CONDOS
1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3111 1/1 $375K.
1 price change: Sunset Captiva #104 2/2 now $1.375M.
No new or closed sales.
HOMES
No new listings.
1 back-on-market: 27 Urchin Ct 2/2.5 $899K.
1 price change: 14865 Mango Ct 2/2 now $1.25M.
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.
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Roadways and bike paths had little traffic this week, as recovery continues albeit slowly. As Realtors, we often are asked what is happening with repairs or reconstruction at a specific property. Though the island grape vine can be good, it is not always accurate. When I get that question – or a call from a property owner, I look the property up on the City website,
The County Tax Appraiser website,
A Bit of Bailey’s – When Week #12 2025 special events as part of “Love Sanibel Back” were posted, it was great to see that A Bit of Bailey’s in the Rabbit Rd commercial center will be open Saturday August 16 at 9 a.m. The new construction of the big store at the corner of Periwinkle Way and Tarpon Bay Rd still is expected to begin this fall. In the meantime, A Bit of Bailey’s and their Island Store on Captiva will offer many of the same goodies enjoyed at the former big grocery.
Kona Kai of Sanibel – This charming motel at 1539 Periwinkle Way reopened this week. Offering special rooms rates until the end of September, their business hours are 9;30 a.m. to 5 p.m. or call 239-472-1001. Having sold this property to the Rodenburg Family in 2010, there was never a doubt in my mind that they would restore and reopen. Nestled in a tropical Hawaiian-style setting with pool, it also borders the Sanibel River.
Michael Saunders & Company on Sanibel – This has been in the works for weeks but finally official with new real estate signs popping up all over the islands. Michael Saunders & Company, out of Sarasota, and with branch offices throughout the Florida Gulf Coast, purchased the former VIP building and business at 1560 Periwinkle Way. Many VIP friends have transitioned to Michael Sanders and we look forward to doing more sales with them soon. (By the way, Michael Sanders is female with a decades-long great reputation.) Welcome to the islands!
The island Association of Realtors had a short caravan meeting yesterday, followed by an open house at a single home in The Dunes.
Sanibel


The island Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but there were nine new sales posted in the SanCap MLS: three homes on Captiva, three Sanibel condos, two Sanibel homes, and a Captiva condo. Below, with data from the island MLS are summary tables of the residential sales statistics, followed by the details of the MLS action reported this week.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend,
With island sea turtle nesting season well underway, SCCF staff and volunteers who survey 18 miles of island beaches from April through October are already reporting more nests and hatchlings. Last year 843 sea turtle nests were laid on the islands and 16,722 hatchlings successfully emerged. This week SCCF posted that so far 2025 recordings include 836 nests (820 loggerhead and 16 green turtles) and 4,880 loggerhead hatchlings.
One of the most asked real estate questions since the recent storms is if ground-level properties are selling – or those with ground-level living space. As an owner recognizing the convenience of easy-access 1-level living, below is the scoop on the 2025 Sanibel sales to-date.
Sanibel
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews aka SanibelSusan
Posted this week on Florida Realtors, credited to Vinod Sreeharsha. 2025 Miami Herald: “Five Florida islands made Travel + Leisure’s 2025 top 15 U.S. islands list, highlighting their charm and resilience after multiple hurricanes.
The results are in. The Sanibel School which serves grades PK-8 continues to be the #1 school in the Lee County District for both Elementary and Middle Schools. Schools are ranked on their performance on state-required tests, graduation, and how well they prepare their students for high school.
The islands Association of Realtors did not meet this week, but a Lunch & Learn, hosted by Affiliates with Noack & Company, provided their insight into the new “one big, beautiful bill”, foreign clients, and Hurricane Ian tax update. Their Senior Accountant Carol McCarley, through the years, has helped many foreign clients. She is a FIRPTA (Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act) expert. More details about that presentation next week.
Sanibel


Teammate Dave and I continue to communicate with folks about selling, There are always owners just thinking about a change, others that want to sell but don’t have to, and some that really need a sale – and fast, All considered, here is my advice and a bit of general info about the island summer real estate market.
Sanibel
Over Easy Café – reopened yesterday in their new location in The Village Shops with many islanders and visitors already enjoying breakfast and lunch there.
Monday, I attended the Florida Realtors legal team webinar covering the new state condo rider and the condo changes that became effective on July 1. Much of the form now requires completion by the unit owner (see attached). Some of the new association changes include:
Though, the island market is better than the June 30, a “Wall Street Journal” article titled “The Worst Housing Market in America Is Now Florida’s Cape Coral”. SanibelSusan Team members also belong to the Royal Palm Coast Realtor Association and Florida Gulf Coast MLS which covers Cape Coral, so I was notified yesterday when their 2025 President, my friend Karen Borrelli, sent a response to “The Wall Street Journal”. It provided good information on market cycles and price normalization, described a balanced market, and essentially providing the details that show Cape Coral, like most of Lee County is in transition, not in trouble.
Happy July 4th & enjoy your holiday weekend,

South Seas Resort on Captiva usually has their own private holiday events, but the next day, on July 5th, they with have a celebration at their new/renovated retail shops with an open-to-the-public “Sip & Shop” from 1 to 3 p.m. These shops at 14830 Captiva Drive include J. McLaughlin (men’s & women’s clothing), Outfitters (sporting gear & island apparel), Provisions (gourmet market & deli), South Seas Spirits, plus Starbucks. In addition to goodies, treats, food and drink samples, there will be live music, and face painting.
The Bubble Room – announced yesterday that after nearly three years of restoration, they will be reopening on Monday July 14. Lunch will be served there from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and dinner from 4:30 to 9 p.m. No reservations initially, just walk-ins.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis recently signed a bill with changes to section 718.403, Florida Statutes, of the Florida Condominium Act. As a result, Florida Realtors legal team is hosting a webinar this coming Monday afternoon to discuss the updates to the Florida sales contract Condo Rider, as well as other statutory changes. The bill goes into effect July 1. SanibelSusan is registered to attend. More details on that next week.
Enjoy your weekend & get your red, white, & blue ready!
The City (of Sanibel) also announced that vegetation trimming will continue this Sunday (June 22) from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Periwinkle Way from Causeway Blvd to Tarpon Bay Rd. Weather permitting, this will include both sides of the road including the shared use path.
Today, there was a baby shower for our CEO Bill Robinson and his wife Elizabeth. They are expecting their first, it’s a boy!
Enjoy your weekend, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
It is another sunny Sanibel Friday, hopefully a lucky Friday the 13th and happy start to the weekend, especially for those celebrating Fathers’ Day.
The Seventh Annual Captivaville Songwriters Weekend begins today and runs through Sunday at ‘Tween Waters Inn and Marina. It is Captiva’s largest music festival and features local singer-songwriters. Performances are scheduled with kick-off party from 5:15 to 8 p.m. tonight, poolside tomorrow from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday brunch in The Shipyard restaurant beginning at 11 a.m. Attendees need to purchase either a day-pass or have a room reservation. Call 239-472-5161 Ext 1 for more info.
Things are getting back to normal with the best July 4th planned this year to also celebrate the City’s 50th Anniversary. Below is a line-up of events to far:
Sanibel Vegetation Trimming