It is SanibelSusan reporting the end of another week of fabulous weather and busy roadways on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Yesterday, the area had just a little, but much-needed, rain in advance of a breezy cool front. Today and tomorrow, it is expected to be only in the mid-70’s. The forecast says it will be back to bright sunny days and temperatures in the high-70’s low-80’s right through Easter weekend, when the islands are expected to be even more packed with vacationing families. (Lee County Schools are off next week, too.)
SanibelSusan Realty
Here at SanibelSusan Realty our listings had good showings this week. We had another nice closing yesterday (they all are nice) and I showed property over the weekend which resulted in an offer. Teammate Dave held Open Houses for the better part of two days and has been opening listings for showings too. Elise’s weekly report of the activity posted in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service, follows a few news items below.
Upcoming Spring Events
Saturday, Apr 15, 9 to 11 a.m. – 23rd Annual Spring Festival – at Sanibel Community Park (across from SanibelSusan Realty), sponsored by The Children’s Education Center of the Islands. A free Easter egg hunt for children by age group, begins at 9 a.m., followed by games, contests, crafts, rides, silent auction & more. A $10 armband allows a child unlimited fun in all activities. Proceeds will benefit the educational center’s scholarship fund and capital improvements.
Saturday, Apr 15, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. – Sanibel Community Church Easter Egg Hunt – This year, the theme is Family Challenge. Huge board games will be set up. Families can play to win a Family Easter Basket so share. Also, preschool games, bounce house, cake walk, outdoor games, free lunch, and thousands of eggs to find for prizes.
Saturday, Apr 15, 1 p.m. – 6th Annual Easter Eggstravaganza – at Island Inn with face painting & balloon animals, live mollusk touch tank, miniature & trick pony rides, Trouper the blind racoon, green screen photo booth, appearance from the Easter Bunny, & beach-front Easter egg hunt with $200 in golden eggs (for children under 12).
Sunday, Apr 16, 6:30 a.m. – Easter Sunrise Service on the Causeway (by Sanibel Community Church).
Pickleball Courts Now Open at Sundial
The largest pickle board facility in the area is now open at Sundial Beach Resort & Spa. With twelve Plexi-cushion courts and stadium seating, resort guests received complimentary court access and equipment rentals. Lessons and clinics are offered by an IPTPA certified resident pro. Memberships and daily passes are available to island visitors and residents. More info at www.sundialresort.com/play or phone 888-889-5410.
Wondering what pickleball is? Known here are the up-&-coming sport for baby boomers, here’s Wikipedia’s definition: “Pickleball is a racquet sport that combines elements of badminton, tennis, and table tennis. Two, three, or four players use solid paddles made of wood or composite materials to hit a perforated polymer ball, similar to a wiffle ball, over a net. The sport shares features of other racquet sports, the dimensions and layout of a badminton court, and a net and rules similar to tennis, with a few modifications. Pickleball was invented in the mid-1960s as a children’s backyard pastime but has become popular among adults as well.”
Federal Flood Maps
You may remember that a few weeks ago, I mentioned that a gulf-front condominium complex near where I live had their Federal Flood Zone changed from the high-risk “V” velocity zone to the “A” zone.
On much of the island, any building located in a V or A zone is considered in a Special Flood Hazard Area that is lower than the Base Flood Elevation. The exact zone affects insurance costs so a change out of the “V” zone usually is a big deal.
Teammate Dave watches for flood zone revisions and pointed out last week that my area of Anchor Drive on Sanibel’s east end recently (on March 22) was issued a Letter of Map Revision which like the condo, moves it from Zone VE to Zone AE.
If you are wondering about a specific property and the zone. Here’s a link to the Federal Flood Maps. Just enter the address.
Resort & 2nd Home Market
I am continually updating the class I teach each summer at the local Association of Realtors®. Here are a few changes I added this week.
“While the market may not be as robust as in previous years, Florida is still the No. 1 state for foreign buyers, according to the 2016 “Profile of International Home Buyers in Florida”, prepared for Florida Realtors® by the Research Division, National Association of Realtors®.
“Last year, says the study, the state drew 22% of the nation’s international residential market. And Florida is starting to look more attractive to foreign buyers from countries that don’t traditionally invest here.
“There are several trends that could impact sales, including government regulations in China, the value of the British pound, and political turmoil in Venezuela.
“It’s not just overseas issues that are in play: U.S. immigration policies, new air service, commercial investment opportunities, and residential developments also could affect decisions by international buyers and sellers – both positively and negatively. For instance, Emirates, the airline based in Dubai, launched daily flights between Dubai and Orlando in 2015 and added service to Fort Lauderdale last December. This could make the state more appealing to Mideast buyers.”
From “Florida Realtor”, the global edition, from the 2016 profile of international buyers in Florida, “Just the Global Facts”:
- “Foreign buyer purchases of Florida residential properties decreased to $19.5 billion ($23.7 billion in 2015). This accounted for 19% of Florida’s residential dollar volume of sales (24% in 2015).
- Foreign buyers purchased 47,000 residential properties (44,000 in 2015), which made up 12% of Florida’s residential market (12% in 2015 too.)
- The average price of foreign buyer purchases declined to $412,000 in 2016 compared to $539,000 in 2015.
- Latin American & Caribbean buyers accounted for the largest fraction of foreign buyers at 39%.
- The top five countries of origin by dollar volume were Canada ($3.0 billion), Brazil ($2.8 billion), Venezuela ($1.5 billion), the United Kingdom ($1.4 billion) and Argentina ($1.4 billion).
- The number of buyers from Venezuela declined significantly (18% in 2015, 8% in 2016), while the share of buyers from Canada increased (11% in 2015, 19% in 2016).
- Foreign buyers purchased property across Florida, but they were concentrated in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach area (52%), Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford area (12%), and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater area (8%).
- 52% of foreign buyers bought a townhouse or condominium.”
Why Can’t Lawyers Give a Straight Answer?
The title of this article posted on line this week at “FloridaRealtors.org” caught my eye. Written by Joel Maxon, Director of Florida Realtors® Legal Services, it makes some good points.
“Question: Why do lawyers pepper their conversations with words like maybe, probably and possibly, when I ask about an active legal dispute? It seems like lawyers don’t like straight answers. I just want to know which side is right and which side is wrong!
“Answer: There’s an old lawyer’s adage that goes something like this: When the facts are on your side, pound the facts. When the law is on your side, pound the law. When neither is on your side, pound the table.
“In other words, a lawyer can almost always make multiple arguments on either side after hearing a set of facts. It’s just a question of how strong those arguments would be if the lawyer had to make them in a court of law. Trying to guess which side will win a case (though most cases settle before trial) has more in common with predicting the winner of a soccer match than answering a true or false question.
“How does this relate to the Florida Realtors Legal Hotline? If you’re asking who will win a contested legal battle based on a brief phone conversation, there’s a very good chance you’ll be disappointed when the lawyer is unwilling or unable to give an answer. We might be able to shed some insight on the world of contested litigation, but litigation is measured one step at a time in a move/counter system.
“If one party has decided to litigate, the factors below are often vital to understand – and they’re often more important than which side has better facts or stronger laws on their side:
- How much money are the parties fighting over?
- Which party is more stubborn?
- Which party has more resources?
- How skillful is each party’s lawyer?
- Who will pay the cost of litigation?
- How will the dispute be resolved – mediation, arbitration, litigation or some other forum?
- What is the judge, jury or other decision maker like?
- Is there a time when one side will give up – a month, a year, a decade?
- Is there a time when the cost of litigation will cause one side to give up, such as $1,000 in attorney fees and costs, $10,000, or $100,000?
- What procedural rules impact the case, such as a statute of limitations or specific venue where the lawsuit must be filed?
“Keep in mind that the parties are always welcome to settle the matter by agreeing to some sort of compromise, and you’re welcome to help with the settlement discussions. You even have a release and cancellation form available if the parties successfully resolve the dispute through conversation.
“However, avoid giving legal advice while you do so, and don’t volunteer phrases like “you have a strong case,” or “you are clearly in default,” even if the party you’re working with wants you to give legal advice.
It’s up to the parties to evaluate the strength of their case and decide whether to settle the matter through discussion or have their case heard by a third party, such as a court. If they choose the latter route, they must either represent themselves or hire a lawyer – and they would be well advised to think about questions like the ones above before they decide to litigate.”
Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 31 – April 7, 2017
Sanibel
CONDOS
4 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #463 2/2 $529K, Tarpon Beach #103 2/2 $799K, Shorewood #2D 3/2 $1.1M, High Tide #C201 2/2 $1.145M.
9 price changes: Tennisplace #E33 2/1.5 now $306K, Mariner Pointe #1412 1/1 now $334K, Seashells #38 2/2 now $363K, Seashells #11 2/2 now $393K, Sundial West #H209 1/1 now $429K, Mariner Pointe #712 2/2.5 now $463.5K, Sanibel Inn #3512 2/2 now $649K, Pointe Santo #B25 2/2 now $749K, High Tide #C101 2/2 now $1.095M.
5 new sales: Loggerhead Cay #443 2/2 listed at $549K, Sandy Bend #5 2/2 listed at $749.9K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #5-2 3/3 listed at $789K, Loggerhead Cay #103 2/2 listed at $999K, Sundial East #T306 3/2 listed at $1.395M.
5 closed sales: Loggerhead Cay #253 2/2 $480K, Sundial East #O401 2/2 $675K, Nutmeg Village #303 2/2 $765K (our listing), Kings Crown #211 3/2 $828K, Somerset #A302 3/2.5 $1.85M.
View from Nutmeg Village #303, just sold!
HOMES
3 new listings: 1317 Par View Dr 3/3 $649K, 587 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $685K, 4257 West Gulf Dr 5/4.5 $4.95M.
14 price changes: 5292 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $599K, 5297 Punta Caloosa Ct 3/2 now $625K, 5105 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3 now $639K, 3784 Coquina Dr 4/2 now $659.95K, 1295 Par View Dr 3/2 now $675K, 601 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 now $687K, 1710 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 now $689K, 1717 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 now $689K, 1656 Middle Gulf Dr 3/4 now $1.15M, 1426 Causey Ct 3/2.5 now $1.349M, 769 Pyrula Ave 3/3.5 now $1.35M, 2451 Blind Pass Ct 4/4.5 now $1.899M, 1528 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/3 now $1.995M, 514 Kinzie Island Ct 4/5 now $2.195M.
4 new sales: 2507 Blind Pass Ct 3/3 listed at $1.495M; 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 listed at $1,149,999; 6192 Henderson Rd 4/4 listed at $1,999,999; 3869 West Gulf Dr 6/7/2 listed at $8.975M.
7 closed sales: 984 Greenwood Ct 3/2 half-duplex 3/2 $455K, 1386 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $770K, 1683 Bunting Ln 3/3 $730K, 608 Boulder Dr 3/3 $830K, 1146 Buttonwood Ln 3/3 $945K, 3944 West Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.05M, 2143 Starfish Ln 3/3.5 $1.375M.
LOTS
No new listings or price changes.
1 new sale: 9066 Mockingbird Ln listed at $380K.
1 closed sale: 2626 Coconut Rd $225K.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Beach Villas #2525 2/2 now $639K.
1 new sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2324 2/2 listed at $625K.
4 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3111 1/1 $248K, Bayside Villas #5204 1/2 $310K, Tennis Villas #3131 2/2 $405K, Marina Villas #908 2/2 $781K.
HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 14980 Binder Dr 4/3 now $1.248M, 14860 Mango Ct 5/4 now $1.995M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 16910 Captiva Dr 4/4 $4M.
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.)
Until next Friday, below is a photo taken Sunday night (April 3) from Redfish Pass aboard the Lady Chadwick’s sunset cruise, overlooking the gulf. North Captiva is on the right.
Looking to take one of these cruises yourself? They sail out of McCarthy’s Marina. More info at CaptivaCruises.com
Enjoy your weekend!
Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Tonight and tomorrow are the 5th annual “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament. The weather couldn’t be better and the water quality is good, so hopefully the first tarpon of the season have arrived.
Fifty boats participate, with four to six anglers per boat. These anglers come from all over.
Jensen’s Marina/Operation Open Arms always dedicates their team to veterans.
Yesterday afternoon/evening was the 21st annual local association of Realtors® “after season” celebration which this year included a golf scramble, Cinco de Mayo party, and auction, all benefitting RPAC (Realtors® Political Action Committee).
RPAC contributions by island Realtors® are high as we have seen the results of these dollars used close-to-home to support Realtor®- friendly legislators who protect property rights, to protect against ordinances which could harm real estate and promote those with positive influence (like build-back), to clean waterways, to provide competitive/affordable flood insurance, to protect the environment, and for beach re-nourishment. Another grant currently is in the works for another water quality study too. We love to see RPAC dollars at work!
All-in-all, it was a fun time – super nice way to celebrate the end of “season”, and for a cause that helps us all.
Summer hours have begun at the Sanibel Historical Museum & Village. It is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and it will close from July 30 until October 18th when it will reopen again with full-time hours (10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
As posted in today’s “Island Sun”:
As reported in the “Santiva-Chronicle” on Wednesday:
“March is Sanibel’s busiest month, the month when the traffic is at its peak. It’s the month when, all else being equal, Sanibel can gauge how well it got through with its traffic campaign. The city has to like what it sees from the Sanibel Causeway.
