Tag Archives: Island Events

Almost Valentines Day on Sunny Sanibel

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heart3.pngIt’s SanibelSusan reporting another sunny Friday on the islands. A little chilly this morning at 59 degrees, but warming up to the mid-70’s and expected to remain that way for at least the next five to six days.

sanibel-boundTraffic has picked up noticeably, so the new Sanibel web cam app can help you plan which route to take when traveling the island. Called “Sanibel Bound” and free on iTunes or Google Play, to install the app, simply go to http://www.mysanibel.com/live-street-cams from your mobile device. For the Android App, click on the button “Get it On Google Play”. To Install the Apple App, click on the button “Download on the App Store”.

Sanibel & Captiva Island Association of Realtors®

Sanibel realtors logoYesterday, there was a big turn-out at our weekly Caravan Meeting at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®. Almost as many affiliate business members were in attendance as Realtors®. Sometimes, “it takes a village” to get a property closed – inspectors, insurance providers, mortgage brokers, title companies, etc. We sure have good ones partnering with us on the islands. A big thank you to Amanda Curran of Superior Title who recently got a tough one closed for our buyer.

Only four properties were on Caravan (it was a West-end tour) – shows how few new listings come on the market this time of the year. Many price changes were announced. I announced the price reduction of the lot 9441 Peaceful Drive. (Some aerials below of this large wide parcel backing to conservation land in Gumbo Limbo. Great private spot for a small or large home, with or without pool. Backyard faces west & sunsets! Price now $274,000)

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Next week is East-end Caravan and the monthly membership meeting, so it likely will bring an even bigger turn-out. I will announce the price reduction at Lighthouse Point #129 then. (That’s the ground-level spacious bay-view three bedroom condo shown below. Now priced at $574,000.)

More info on the action posted this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a few news items below.

Lots of Happenings

calendarIn typical high-season fashion, there are lots of happenings now for locals and visitors to enjoy. Here are a few reminders, others are posted on under the “Upcoming Island Events” tab above.

  • Art on the Veranda – tomorrow Feb 11 – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – at Bailey’s Center, presented by San-Cap Art League.
  • CHR’s Mardi Gras – tomorrow night Feb 11 – Community Housing & Resource (CHR’s) only fundraiser of the year at The Dunes. Tickets at www.sanibelchr.org/mardigras or call 472-1189.
  • BIG ARTS “100 Years of Broadway” – tomorrow night – 2017 benefit – www.bigarts.org or call 395-0900.
  • 15th Annual Clothesline Art Show – Sunday Feb 12 – at The Community House, presented by San-Cap Art League.
  • Valentine’s Dinner Dance – Feb 14 – hosted by the Stroke Recovery Foundation at The Community House. Reservations needed by Monday. Call 395-2661 or email GBaker9367@aol.com.
  • Annual Arts & Crafts Fair – Feb 18 & 19 – presented by Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva – at The Community House, Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. www.SanibelArtFair.com
  • Kiwanis Annual Spaghetti Dinner – Feb 25 – at The Community House from 4 to 8 p.m. Tickets in advance from Kiwanians for $8 or at the door for $9.
  • 80th Sanibel Shell Festival – Mar 2, 3, & 4 – at The Community House.
  • 10th Annual Sanibel Uncorked – Wine & Food Fest – Mar 5 – 1 to 5 p.m. – fundraiser by the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club at Lily & Company.
  • A Peek at the Unique – Mar 11 – Zonta’s 16th home tour & fundraiser. Limited tickets available at ZontaPeekTickets2017@gmail.com

Sighting at “Ding” Darling

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Wikipedia photo of a pair of Great White Pelicans in breeding condition in Walvis Bay, Namibia

Last week hundreds of visitors came to J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on the lookout for a Great While Pelican that was spotted there last February and reported to have again returned this year. Within just 24 hours of the February 1 sighting, birders came from near and far, but not many spotted her. With a wing span up to 11.8’ and weighing as much as 33 pounds, these rare birds are native to Africa, Europe, and Asia. Birding experts say that this one is far off its usual migratory route, I say it’s just another smart winter vacationer.

 

SCCF logoSCCF Hosts Water Forum

From an email received this morning from Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation:

“Weighing in on the Water, a February 9 town hall event, was hosted by SCCF at the Bailey Homestead Pavilion and moderated by SCCF’s Natural Resource Policy Director Rae Ann Wessel. In introducing U.S. Congressman Francis Rooney and Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane, she framed both the economic and ecological impacts from poor water management as key issues that must be addressed at the local, state, and federal levels to improve water quality in the Everglades and Southwest Florida.

“There is insufficient capacity to store, treat, and move water,” said Wessel. “We need new ways of doing restoration, and science needs to be the basis of all the solutions we pursue.”

“Congressman Rooney briefed approximately 200 constituents on his efforts to address Southwest Florida’s water quality issues at the federal level.

““We don’t need new legislative authorization, we need funds to be appropriated for multiple Everglades Restoration projects authorized since 2007,” said Rooney.

“The Congressman went on to say his first acts since taking office on January 20 were all focused on water quality for his district and Florida. He cited his one-on-one visits with members of the House Appropriations Committee, arguing for Everglades restoration funding. He also shared the letter he crafted and sent to President Trump, on which he secured the signatures of every member of Florida’s House delegation on Capitol Hill. (See a pdf of the letter here). The letter asks that the Trump administration’s fiscal 2018 budget “strongly support Everglades restoration projects, especially those within the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Program (CERP).”

““This was an extraordinary achievement for a recently arrived freshman member of Congress,” said Wessel.

““The letter was bipartisan and included every House member representing Florida in Washington.  Advocates fighting for Everglades restoration and water quality have never had that demonstration of unanimous congressional support before Congressman Rooney brought this focus on water to Washington.”

City of Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane expressed his appreciation for Congressman Rooney’s efforts at the federal level, particularly in the way they complement the efforts Ruane is working to spearhead.

““We have worked with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and have gained their commitment to accelerate – to 2018 rather than 2021 – the design and planning process for a flow way for storage and cleaning south of Lake Okeechobee,” said Ruane.

“The Mayor went on to speak in detail about his initiative to engage the 19 counties and 163 cities affected by poor water quality. These counties and cities represent 55% of Florida’s real estate values. Combined with their tourism income, the economic impact of poor water quality is $2 trillion. “If you’re in Tallahassee, that number is hard to ignore,” said Ruane.

“The mayor has taken a leading role in bringing together the cities to work together in seeking state-level support, such as advancing the passage of Senate Bill 10 (SB10) to purchase 60,000 acres south of Lake O. He told the audience to watch for planned efforts to highlight these issues during the Florida legislative session beginning March 7.

“SCCF encourages you to forward this email to friends and neighbors, asking them to sign up for SCCF action alerts and become engaged in pressing our elected officials to take positive actions for moving restoration forward to protect our economy and water resources. Click here to sign up for our Action Alerts.”

NAR RPAC Hall of Fame

government_affairs_rpac_logo_homeI received a surprise congratulatory letter this week. It seems I was nominated by the state for induction into the NAR RPAC Hall of Fame. The nomination was accepted, so I will be an official member of the Class of 2016 National Association of REALTORS®’ RPAC Hall of Fame. The induction is in May after which a plaque with my name will be on the rooftop of the NAR building in Washington, D.C.

I didn’t think that we have had anyone from the islands ever make the “Hall of Fame” so it prompted me to look on-line to see how many fellow Floridians are Hall of Fame members. In Florida, today there are 47 Realtors in the Hall of Fame. From my home state of Maine, there are only two, and from my former state of Virginia, there are just 15.

Since 2004, the REALTORS® Political Action Committee (RPAC) has raised more than $100 million dollars to support pro-REALTOR® Party candidates running for Congress. The amount of money RPAC spends to support candidates makes it one of the top trade association PACs in the nation.

Though REALTORS® are a key part of the American Dream – property ownership, they increasingly face forces that threaten their work – the economy, property tax burdens, increasing insurance premiums, rent controls, impact fees, etc.

RPAC helps REALTORS® make sure their concerns about these and other issues are heard and understood by public officials. On the islands, where 99% of our members contribute to RPAC, we don’t just give dollars, we see those dollars put to good use in the ongoing fight for better water quality, lower insurance costs, and more.

Investing in my profession helps me and other homeowners too.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity February 3-10, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Royale Tern #103 3/3.5 $2.295M.

7 price changes: Seashells #38 2/2 now $368K, Mariner Pointe #712 2/2.5 now $480K, Sundial West #D305 1/1 now $539K, Lighthouse Point #217 3/2/2 now $539K, Lighthouse Point #129 3/2 now $574K (our listing), Kings Crown #208 2/2 now $749K, Tanglewood #1A 3/2 now $1.0749M.

4 new sales: Loggerhead Cay #253 2/2 listed at $549K, Sundial East #L402 2/2 listed at $749K, Bayview Village #1A 3/3 listed at $789K, Sundial East #Q404 2/2 listed at $899K.

1 closed sale: Somerset #302 3/2.5 $1.55M.

HOMES

8 new listings: 1895 Farm Trl 3/2 $615K, 215 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 $798.9K, 1311 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 $799K, 2628 Coconut Dr 3/2.5 $1.43M, 1995 My Tern Ct 4/2 $1.495M, 3615 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $2.995M, 1320 Seaspray Ln 4/4.5 $3.55M, 3009 Turtle Gait Ln 4/4.5 $3.999M.

16 price changes: 998 Greenwood Ct 3/2.5 half-duplex now $437K; 3043 Poinciana Cir 4/2 now $579K; 376 Lake Murex Blvd 3/2 now $589K; 9247 Dimmick Dr 3/2 now $599K; 5305 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $599,995; 5292 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $629K; 1295 Par View Dr 3/2 now $725K; 1334 Junonia St 3/2 now $729K; 3152 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 now $735K; 698 Spartina Ct 3/2 now $895K, 243 Southwinds Dr 3/2.5 now $875K; 1396 Tahiti Dr 4/3 now $939K; 518 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $1.399M; 696 Kinzie Island Ct 4/5 now $2.15M; 6494 SanibelCaptiva Rd 3/2 now $2.2495M; 1206 Bay Dr 4/4.5 now $3.899M.

11 new sales: 980 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed at $489K, 976 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed at $495K, 1631 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex listed at $499K, 1714 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed at $499.9K, 1851 Farm Trl 3/2 listed at $525K, 2134 Egret Cir 3/2 half-duplex listed at $559K, 660 Durion Ct 3/2 listed at $910K, 1089 Skif Pl 3/2 listed at $1.089M, 785 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 listed at $1.149M, 5639 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 listed at $1.695M, 2118 Starfish Ln 4/5 listed at $1.849M.

2 closed sales: 2401 Shop Rd 2/1 $205K, 2142 Egret Cir 3/2 $485K.

LOTS

1 new listings: 5251 Indian Ct $789K.

3 price changes: 9441 Peaceful Dr now $274K (our listing), 6411 Pine Ave now $363.5K, 602 Boulder Dr now $439K.

1 new sale: 2502/2504 Wulfert Rd listed at $239.9K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Beach Home s#2 3/2 $2.199M.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: Beach Villas #2322 1/1 $480K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11530 Laika Ln 4/3 $2.2M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 11539 Wightman Ln 2/2 listed at $1.575M, 16237 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 listed at $3.95M.

No 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.)

valentineHappy Valentines’ Day!

Still time to buy your sweetie a piece of paradise before Tuesday. I’m working…

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Almost Thanksgiving 2015 on Sanibel Island

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BeachIt’s Sanibel Susan, reporting that this week, the record-warm temperatures continued on Sanibel and Captiva Islands along with sunny weather. As the islands get busier, so do the bike paths and beaches with snowbirds and vacationers already enjoying pre-holiday festivities.

Weather reports say that a cool front is arriving later today (Friday) with a few occasional showers that may hang around over the weekend and Monday – possibly a few daytime temperatures down into the mid-70’s too. We are ready for that.

By Thanksgiving, it’s likely to be back into the low 80’s.

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

Red Tide

Sanibelcityseal logoIt certainly is not unusual this time of the year, after a rainy warm summer to hear about red tide blooms in Florida. But, it has been a few years since Sanibel has experienced what is occurring now. Fingers crossed that the upcoming cool front pushes it away. In the meantime here what the City posted late yesterday on www.MySanibel.com:

“City Reminds Private Property Owners Proper Pickup Techniques for Removal of Debris from Sanibel’s Beaches

“At this time, the City of Sanibel is experiencing moderate levels of Red Tide impacting a small portion of the Island. We are monitoring conditions very closely. Excellent sources of additional information on Red Tide are available at:

http://www.leevcb.com/sites/leevcb.com/files/red_tide_rack_card_generic_web.pdf

http://www.leevcb.com/content/water-quality-issues

http://coolgate.mote.org/beachconditions/

http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Beach%20Hazards%20Statement

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab/

“Currently, Sanibel Public Works Department is picking up dead fish along the public beaches as conditions warrant. Property owners and managers authorized to remove dead fish from the beach along their respective properties. Anyone removing fish from the beach should adhere to the following guidelines:

  • Only dead fish may be removed from the beach. This ensures that beach habitat for Sanibel’s wildlife is protected during the cleanup process.
  • Dead fish may only be removed by hand, using hand tools such as pitch forks or grabbers. The use of shovels and mechanical equipment is strictly prohibited.
  • All fish should be double bagged and placed in an onsite dumpster for disposal.
  • At this time, NO large sea life has been impacted. If you have large fish, marine mammals or sea turtles that are too large to handle, please contact the City of Sanibel Police Dispatch at (239) 472-3111.
  • No motorized vehicles are permitted on the beach and only those vehicles authorized by the City Manager may be used in cleanup activities.

For further information regarding this matter, please contact the City of Sanibel Natural Resources Department at (239) 472-3700.”

SanibelSusan Realty Happenings

Sanibelsusan LogoAgain this week, several of our listings had showings. On Sunday, I opened two homes for showings. A condo listing sold this week, we received a new canal-front home listing which had its first showing yesterday, and I met with some other owners also thinking of selling in 2016.

Teammate Dave has been attending inspections, holding open houses, and following up on sales that are in process, while Elise continues to follow-up on our listing activity and marketing material. Lisa will be manning the fort tomorrow updating our inventory documents as she does each week. All of us are off on Thanksgiving Day (we are only closed two days a year – Christmas will be next). The team also will have next Friday off, while I will be showing property, then in the office sending you next Friday’s real estate update.

I had lunch today at Sundial Resort. They have a new menu, with a Caesar salad big enough to share if you are looking for a meal with a view. The new Japanese restaurant there is not open yet and it was pretty quiet for a Friday afternoon, but plenty of check-ins are expected tomorrow. Here’s hoping they are all buyers!

(Picture below taken today from the dining deck at the Sundial Beach Resort.)

Sundial deck view 11-20-15

 

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors November Membership Meeting

The Sanctuary club aerialYesterday, was the monthly breakfast meeting of the islands’ Association of Realtors®. Held at The Sanctuary, we were treated to a terrific meal followed by a presentation by Ken Kouril, the Golf Club General Manager. His pitch centered on the upcoming 2016 Capital Project planned at The Sanctuary which will provide more outside dining, redecorating and refreshing the Clubhouse, and constructing a state-of-the-art Fitness Facility. Here are a few more details from his handout:

“Redecorate/Refresh the Clubhouse – Redecorating by Peacock & Lewis, a highly recognized and awarded architectural and decorating firm, will focus on such key components as the color palette, repainting, new carpets and drapes, reupholstering and replacing furniture, new lighting fixtures, improved acoustics in the main dining room, an audio-visual system, and modernization of the bathrooms.

“Outside Dining – The porch adjoining the Grill Room will be transformed into a pleasant dining venue for Members. The project will involve a minor renovation to eliminate visual obstructions (the lower wall) to improve the view, and a complete makeover (e.g. floor, ceiling, lighting, furniture, fans, etc.) of the space to create a comfortable and attractive setting in harmony with the Grill Room.

“Fitness & Wellness Center – A 5,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Fitness & Wellness Facility will be constructed comprised of a 1,800 sq. ft. equipment room housing cardio and strength training equipment, a dedicated stretching room, a 900 sq. ft. group exercise room for Pilates, yoga, and similar activities, comfortable and well-appointed rooms for massage therapy, and restrooms. There will be a new outside pool (75’ long x 25’ wide) for recreation and lap swimming with both deep and shallow water. Aerobics classes also will be an addition to the existing wellness programs currently offered.”

So as not to interfere with the upcoming winter activities at the club, the demolition of the current Fitness Center and construction of the new one will not begin until May 1, 2016 (expected to take a year to complete), while the Clubhouse work will begin May 15, 2016 and be completed by mid-October. (The Clubhouse will be available during construction. Tennis will continue through construction, however, the Fitness Center will not be available during this time.) More info at www.sanctuarygc.net

If you would like to enjoy these upcoming improvements at The Sanctuary, our listing at 5743 Baltusrol Court overlooking the 9th fairway to lake is available. This unique custom villa home has a spectacular grand foyer, stunning great room opening to expansive outdoor living spaces with pool and spa plus pool bath. Inside, the split floor-plan has 3 bedroom suites with separate office/den, utility room, gourmet kitchen, and powder room. An oversized 2-car garage (really 2-1/2-car) completes the picture. The adjoining lot also is available. Please contact me for more details – or click on the tab above.

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Upcoming Island Events

With holiday celebrations beginning, here is the big event of the weekend:

pilgrims-and-indians-and-turkeySun – Nov 22 – Annual Sanibel Thanksgiving Celebration – at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way at 6:45 p.m. This is a non-denominational celebration of Thanksgiving in music, words, and song. Admission is free. Local community leaders and representatives from island churches take part. Singers include The BIG ARTS Community Chorus (SanibelSusan in the alto section). Cookies and apple cider follow the celebration. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food or monetary donation for FISH of Sanibel-Captiva.

For those that follow our community chorus, here are a few other upcoming performances:

children-singing2Sat – Nov 28 – During the 25th Sanibel Masters Art Festival (which is both Fri & Sat from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on the grounds of The Community House, the Sanibel Chorus will perform a preview of their holiday concert twice on Sat morning, once at 10 a.m. and again about 11:30 following a short break.

Sat – Nov 28 – South Seas Tree Lighting is 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the entrance to South Seas. Free and open to the public, this kicks off South Seas holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony featuring the BIG ARTS Community Chorus, cookie and ornament decorating, and a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. www.southseas.com

historical village logoFri – Dec 4 – 31st Annual Sanibel Luminary Festival – from 3 to 5 p.m. before the Luminary Trail begins, The Sanibel Historical Village will celebrate Christmas will a free public event. The theme is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, in recognition of the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event will highlight what it was like on Sanibel during Christmas 1945. The Sanibel Community Chorus Ensemble will perform and each village building will incorporate patriotic pieces of the time in celebration of the theme, with live interactive events.

BaileysAlso on Sanibel Luminary eve, at approximately 6 p.m. there will be a surprise flash mob inside Bailey’s Store, followed by the singing of carols outside. (Hope I didn’t spoil the surprise.)

Sanibel Luminary Trail is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, while Captiva’s Luminary is the next night, Sat Dec 5.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity November 13-20

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Sand Pointe #217 2/2 $789,999; Kings Crown #315 2/2 $899K; Gulfside Place #317 2/2 $1.495M.

2 price changes: Casa Blanca #6 1/1 now $250K, Snug Harbor #113 2/2 now $985K.

Sundial B206 Ext Back4 new sales: Seashells #28 2/2 listed at $365K, Sanibel Arms West #M8 2/2 listed at $519K, Sanibel Arms West #B1 2/2 listed at $525K, Sundial West #B206 2/2 listed at $579K (our listing).

2 closed sales: Lighthouse Point #221 3/2 $569.9K, Somerset #B201 3/2.5 $1.85M.

HOMES

From Street 38 new listings: 1429 Sandpiper Cir 3/3 half-duplex $429.9K, 9475 Beverly Ln 3/2 $534.5K, 1258 Par View Dr 3/2 $799K, 4215 Old Banyan Way 3/3 $825K, 918 Lindgren Blvd 3/3 $1.495M (our listing), 1688 Hibiscus Dr 3/3 $1.895M, 4190 Dingman Dr 4/3.5 $2.995M, 1196 Bay Dr 4/4.5 $3.195M, 2405 Blue Crab Ct 4/4.5 $3.295M.

1 price change: 1004 Fish Crow Rd 4/3 now $874.9K.

4 new sales: 2065 Wild Lime Dr 3/2.5 listed at $579K, 9445 Beverly Ln 3/2 listed at $699K, 236 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 listed at $879K, 5436 Shearwater Dr 3/3 listed at $989K.

3 closed sales: 426 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $645K, 1490 Middle Gulf Dr 3/4.5 $1.583M, 2963 Wulfert Rd 4/6.5 $2.5M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Sabal Sands Rd, lot 8 $195K.

Captiva

CONDOS

4 new listings: Bayside Villas #5208 1/2 $287K, Marina Villas #807 2/2 $670K, Gulf Beach Villas #2127 2/2 $750K, Beach Homes #20 3/3 $2.595M.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 14981 Binder Dr 3/3 $1.095M.

No price changes, 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.)

Thanksgiving wordsUntil next Friday, Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Just Another Week With Gorgeous Weather on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

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It’s the next to last week of high season on Sanibel and Captiva Islands, but the real estate action has been a little slower than expected. The fabulous weather with low humidity and warm summer-like temperatures with bright blue skies likely has kept the many families and visitors here instead engaged in other fun-in-the-sun activities.

Sundial Beach

 

Dave and Lisa took an afternoon drive through Babcock Ranch last Saturday. Check out Dave’s panther pictures below and you will understand why those animals are not on Sanibel. Takes a lot to feed a big animal like that. If you have not explored the ranch, it is an easy trip from the island and a nice time of the year to do it.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

SanibelSusan Realty from Periwinkle WayTwice this week, we had a good walk-in interested in buying an investment gulf-front condo. Unfortunately, it is next to impossible to find any that can be viewed during what is traditionally one of the busiest weeks on the island. Tenant turnovers tomorrow are expected to be heavy too with many of rental organizations bringing on extra cleaners and inspectors to get them through the Saturday check-out/check-in rush.

We had a nice closing on Monday and are checking the boxes on the activities coming up on a few others, while we also said goodbye this week to some snowbird clients heading home.

Attendance was light at our Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday with not many sales announced. Below are a few news items followed by the activity posted this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

What’s Driving International Buyers to Florida?

Florida Realtors logoGood article in the April 2015 issue of “FloridaRealtor®”. Here are a few excerpts:

“Patricia Tan expects strong demand for Florida vacation properties from United Kingdom (UK) buyers this year. “Changes in the U.K.’s pension regulations will allow retirees to take out a lump sum in 2015”, says Tan, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Residential Real Estate in Sarasota and the National Association of Realtors® president’s liaison to the United Kingdom. “While some retirees will buy in France and Spain, there is still plenty of interest in Florida as a second-home destination,” she says.

“That’s just one example of the way political, economic, and policy changes in distant parts of the world can significantly impact global demand for Florida real estate.

“”Our state’s growth is strongly affected by the international economic environment,” says Sean Snaith, director of the University of Central Florida’s Institute for Economic Competitiveness in Orlando.

“With its sunshine, beaches, easy access by air and competitively priced properties, Florida is an attractive destination for foreign buyers and investors.

“Studies by NAR consistently show that Florida ranks third behind California and New York in U.S. international sales. Historically, Canada, Europe, and South America have been the three biggest sources of foreign buyers in the United States, with a recent upturn in interest from China.

“Now, Chinese citizens can obtain business and tourist visas for 10 years rather than just one, making it easier for Chinese buyers and investors to spend more time in the United States including Florida.

“Global demand patterns vary from year to year, based on factors like currency exchange rates that make Florida properties less or more expensive for foreign buyers, as well as visas and tax regulations that affect international investors.

“Steve Cook, co-publisher and editor of “Real Estate Economy Watch”, expects an overall slowdown in international demand, partly because housing prices have rebounded strongly, following the 2009 recession. “Global buyers saw tremendous opportunities in buying distressed properties, especially along the Gulf Coast,” he says. “While we are not seeing that same level of interest today, there is still plenty of demand for resort properties, and prices are still affordable for buyers worldwide.”…

“Historically, French-speaking Canadians have bought homes along the I-95 corridor on Florida’s East Cost, while English-speaking Canadians have gravitated to the Gulf Coast along I-75…The Canadian dollar has been stronger than the U.S. dollar…Since Canada didn’t go through the banking crisis as the United States did six years ago, buyers feel confident about investing in Florida vacation homes…Exchanges are important to European buyers as well…

“While the United Kingdom is Florida’s biggest feeder market from Europe, demand from other countries fluctuates from year to year, depending on factors like convenient air connections, says Tan. “I have seen more activity from French buyers who want to invest in the U.S. for tax reasons, and from Dutch buyers looking for vacation homes on the Gulf Coast,” she says. “German buyers continue to be interested in Florida, and there has been an increase in vacation buyers from Scandinavia, thanks in part to a new flight from Sweden to Fort Lauderdale.”…Demand may lessen slightly due to the euro’s losing value again the U.S. dollar.”

Who’s Moving Here?

Also from “FloridaRealtor®” April 15:

RealtyTracLogo_166x32“According to housing market firm RealtyTrac, interest in buying U.S. housing increased by 95% or more in 10 countries, and at least doubled in nine of these nations. RealtyTrac ranks the 10 countries where interest in buying American homes is on the rise.

  1. United Arab Emirates – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 352.2% – While the country has just 9 million residents, it had more than 1,000 ultra-high-net-worth residents in 2014. Roughly 40% of the Emirates’ GDP was tied to oil and natural gas output, according to OPEC. Despite oil’s recent price declines, the number of ultra-high-net-worth residents has not declined.
  2. Switzerland – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 269.7% – Helping to make U.S. properties more appealing, or at least more affordable, is the considerable appreciation of the Swiss franc against the dollar over the past five years, up nearly 27% in that time.
  3. Hong Kong & China – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 254.2% – While China’s economy remains one of the fastest growing in the world, there are concerns about slowing economic growth and shadow banking activity in the country. Concerns about wealth protection may encourage wealthy Chinese residents to consider U.S. property.
  4. France – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 190.0% – France had nearly 4,500 ultra-high-net worth residents as of 2014, more than in all but eight other countries globally. Many observers and residents have criticized President Francois Hollande’s socialist policy decisions and the resulting high taxes. A number of reports indicate that residents may be leaving the country due to high taxes and tough regulations.
  5. Italy – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 178.4% – The faltering economy may encourage Italians to consider U.S. property as a relatively good investment. Italy is also home to a number of extremely wealthy citizens with the resources to invest globally.
  6. United Kingdom – Growth in prospective homebuyers – 153.8% – The U.K. government’s Help to Buy program, which provides financial help to prospective homebuyers in the U.K., has drawn controversy. Detractors of the program have expressed concerns that home prices in the U.K. could rise to unsustainable levels. Thus, U.K. residents may see U.S. homes as a safe or profitable investment.
  7. Austria – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 121.9% – The country’s strong economic growth likely contributed to the increased interest in buying U.S. property. Despite recent declines, the Australian dollar has gained considerably against the U.S. dollar, also contributing to the increased interest.
  8. Canada – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 107.7% – The strength of the Canadian economy may have given residents more opportunities to invest. Some residents may also find U.S. properties attractive because some consider Canada’s housing market to be overvalued.
  9. Sweden – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 100% – Many Swedes may consider U.S. property to be a good investment, especially as Sweden’s economy has been stagnant. Additionally, many Swedes might find U.S. home prices more affordable, as experts believe Swedish home prices are precariously high.
  10. Germany – Growth in prospective homebuyers: 95.2% – Contributing to Germans’ ability to afford international property was the country’s high number of ultra-high-net-worth individuals in 2013, second only to the United States. Despite the weakness of the Eurozone economy and Germany’s slow growth, no major Eurozone country grew faster in 2013. However, interest in U.S. properties has tapered off recently.”

Some Ways International Buyers Can Own U.S. Real Estate

globe7Speaking of those international buyers, “FloridaRealtors®” April 2015, also offers this info:

“Here are some common ways international buyers can structure ownership of U.S. real estate to reduce their estate tax burden. Of course, buyers should always seek counsel to determine which course of action is best for them:

  1. Incorporation in a foreign jurisdiction. If the property has substantially appreciated in value since it was purchased, then a sale to a foreign corporation controlled by the nonresident alien or his/her family may be an option to eliminate exposure to estate taxes.
  2. Buy life insurance.       The proceeds of life insurance on the life of a nonresident alien are often not subject to estate tax and can provide liquidity to pay estate taxes.
  3. Draft a qualified domestic trust, if the foreign owner is married, either during the nonresident alien’s lifetime or upon his/her death. This may allow estate taxes to be deferred until the death of the surviving spouse.
  4. If other family members, such as adult children, are U.S. taxpayers, consider having them buy the property, perhaps subject to a mortgage in favor of the foreign parents.
  5. Consider using a two-tiered (foreign & domestic) partnership arrangement if the value and sophistication of the investment merits the additional expenses involved in doing so.”

How SanibelSusan Realty Markets Globally

TRC LOGOGlobal business begins with local relationships. Being a TRC (or Transnational Referral Certified) distinguishes SanibelSusan among over 2 million brokers and agents worldwide. It integrates referral business into my business plan and allows me to network through an international program, which also allows me to market myself and my listings on www.WorldProperties.com

This international network called The International Consortium of Real Estate Associations (ICREA), has resulted in the development of my own network of real estate professionals throughout the world who have personally selected me to be their real estate equivalent here on the islands. I currently have active agreements with 215 successful agents in ten different countries.

On the islands, just nine Realtors® also have earned their TRC. Only three of us are “Platinum” members of the group which gives our listings priority rankings, more visibility and translates them into the languages of the countries belonging to the consortium. Since my last name also begins with “A”, I am the top name on their island search list too (thank goodness for small favors like that).

Additionally, establishing a presence for international buyers through www.Proxio.com and www.Point2Homes.com has ensured that SanibelSusan listings make it around to the world to those searching for real estate in Florida.

Networking with other Florida colleagues is an important part of our global business too. Most Realtors® won’t give you a lead if they don’t know you, so when I am in Orlando each January and August at our FloridaRealtors® state meetings, I always make it a point to meet with other Realtors® with international clientele. Many of those in Miami and Orlando, where the global market is huge, know that SanibelSusan Realty is a go-to broker here for expert advice on SW Florida and island resources. (Here again my name helps, they remember SanibelSusan.) I have many life-long friends from years working on state committees and cherish their referrals.

My Friday island real estate blog brings international business too. This March showed the most readers to-date, with nearly 6,000 viewers. Subscribers in addition to those who sign up directly through the blog, others come through both Twitter and Facebook. I track the source of the readers, with 50% from Canada; 20% from United Kingdom; 15% Germany; 4% France; 2% each Australia, Sweden, Brazil; and 1% each Switzerland, Italy, Netherlands, Argentina, and United Arab Emirates.

Upcoming Island Events

childrens ctr21st Annual Spring Festival – April 4, Saturday, sponsored by the Children’s Education Center of the Islands, event at the Sanibel Community Park (across the street from SanibelSusan Realty) from 9 to 11 a.m. Children are asked to bring an Easter basket for the FREE egg hunt at 9 a.m.

relay for life logoRelay for Life – April 10, Friday, at The Dunes Tennis & Golf Club, from 4 to 10 p.m., where cancer survivors and participants walk a loop with proceeds to benefit the American Cancer Society.

MOAA logo2nd Annual Bob Janes Memorial Golf Tournament – April 14, Tues, at Shell Point Golf Club. As a former Sanibel Mayor, Lee County Commissioner, and friend through MOAA (Military Officers Association of America), Bob installed me as President of the local Association of Realtors® back in 1998. This event named in his honor raises funds to benefit various veteran charities, including Wounded Warriors of Southwest Florida. I know Bob would be proud to know that they hope to beat the $21K raised last year. 2015 goal is $30K.

Farewell to Katie

katieDuring the Lion’s Club Arts & Crafts Fair two Saturdays ago, I ran over to The Community Center to relay best wishes to long-time island restaurateur and artist, Katie Gardenia. She will be moving to North Carolina soon to live nearer her daughter and granddaughter. To say she will be missed here is definitely an understatement. Many know Katie as the former owner of The Bubble Room and another island restaurant, famous for her cakes. Others know she is an admired artist, doll-maker, collector, and an all-round gem of a gal.

Here are a couple of tidbits from Katie’s book “A Bubble Moment” as described in this week’s “Sanibel-Captiva Islander”. Those of you who remember the early days of “The Bubble Room” should get a kick out of these. Each of Katie’s books is unique and contains some of her famous recipes. I cherish my copy and bought another one from her that very day, along with another piece of special Katie art. If you get to Flat Rock, NC, look for her new studio there.

  • “Another hiring ad in the local paper; and this time a couple, husband and wife from California responded to the ad. (At that point I was exhausted and would have hired anyone or thing that said they could cook.) They were hired on the spot and lasted all of two months. They went sailing one day and never came back…I was now doing lunch, baking from scratch sesame hamburger buns, quiche and adding more desserts.
  • “I always wanted to be a girl scout, but only made it the “brownies”. I went on a hunt for an old girl scout uniform, and finally found one at the Ortiz flea market in Fort Myers. It had all the bells and whistles, badges included. So our first server was a “real” girl scout, and I just loved the whole idea “living vicariously, I guess)…We were threatened with a lawsuit. Ok, we’ll just forget the girl and go to the boy, i.e. boy scouts. So, the servers (four by then) were dressed in boy scout uniforms.
  • “One of my favorite back screen door visitors was Mr. Paul Walken (Christopher Walken’s father)…he came to the screen door one day. I was baking: cakes were lined in rows ready to be frosted, icing in large bowls, dough rising, homemade bread waiting to be brushed with egg whites and popped into the ever-burning ovens. “Smells good in here. May I enter?”…he watched and said, “You don’t know the secret, do you.”
  • “I was baking my first batch of sticky rolls, and out of the corner of my eye I saw at the screened door a tall man with striped pajamas and a worn robe on, holding what looked like a skinned cat. Oh no, help me!”…you must be Mr. Rosse, Andy.” “Yep, that’s me, and I’m here to trade you this here possum for some of those sticky buns – SIX!” “What in the world do I do with a possum,” I asked. “Well, you boil it, of course.” (he said)”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity Mar 27-Apr 3 

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Captains Walk #F3 2/2 $289,982; Blind Pass #B209 3/2.5 $549K.

3 price changes: Blind Pass #E206 2/2.5 now $419.5K, Cottage Colony West #102 1/1 now $649.9K, Tanglewood #1A 3/2 now $1.124M.

1 new sale: Lighthouse Point #127 3/2 listed for $699.9K.

6 closed sales: Colonnades #11 1/1 $180K, Captains Walk #E5 2/2 $285K, Sanibel Siesta #701 2/2 $494K, Sandalfoot #5C1 2/2 $665K (our Seller), Loggerhead Cay #522 2/2 $670K, Blind Pass #G105 3/3 $700K.

Sandalfoot from beach

HOMES

4 new listings: 750 Martha’s Ln 3/2 $579K, 1409 Albatross Rd 3/2 $595.9K, 1445 Causey Ct 3/2 $849.9K, 863 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $999K.

5 price changes: 1322 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $560K, 220 Palm Lake Dr 3/3 now $575K, 6019 Clam Bayou Ln 4/3 now $1.185M, 1138 Harbour Cottage Ct 3/2.5 now $1.195M, 2981 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 now $1.54M.

4 new sales: 828 Rabbit Rd 2/1 listed for $399K, 5089 SanibelCaptiva Rd 3/2 listed for $489.9K (short sale), 9445 Beverly Ln 3/2 listed for $775K, 190 Violet Dr 3/2.5 listed for $1.05M.

3 closed sales: 240 Southwinds Dr 3/2 $480K, 1854 Farm Trl 3/2 $565K, 1075 Blue Heron Dr 3/2 $600K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1815 Ardsley Way $197,555.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 9426 Sage Ct listed for $229,555, 2324 Starfish Ln listed for $449K.

2 closed sales: 1299 Par View Dr $212K, 6411 Pine Ave $320K.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Beach Villas #2517 1/1 $508.5K, Marina Villas #706 2/2 $625K.

3 price changes: Beach Villas #2417 1/1 now $520K, Sunset Beach Villas #2325 2/2 now $579K, Beach Homes #3 3/2 now $1.879M.

1 new sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2335 3/3 listed for $829K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 19 Urchin Ct 2/2.5 $889K.

3 price changes: 11535 Wightman Ln 3/3 now $1.2M, 11535 Chapin Ln 4/4 now $1.449M, 11516 Andy Rosse Ln 6/6 now $2.349M.

1 new sale: 15879 Captiva Dr 3/3 listed for $2.695M.

1 closed sale: 43 Oster Ct 2/2.5 $730K.

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.

happy easterHappy Easter!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Real Estate New Year Begins on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

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It’s SusanSusan reporting that it has been another busy holiday week on the islands. The check-ins last Saturday brought island occupancy to as close to 100% as I remember and the “day trippers” early in the week added to the traffic madness. The traffic tie-ups subsided as the week as progressed. Likely things will get back to normal tomorrow when the New Year revelers check out and head back home. Following a few general news items below is the activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service over the past seven days.

Happenings at SanibelSusan Realty

SANSLogoWe had a handful of showing requests this week, though not many, considering the traffic. Our colleagues report the same, indicating that many here during holidays make the trip to have fun and enjoy the islands. Experience shows that more serious lookers will be here later in the month, then it should stay hoppin’ until Easter.

SanCapAssnLogoNext week our Association of Realtors® is back to their Thursday morning meeting schedule (Jan 8th), following which our two new east-end listings, 9477 Peaceful Drive and Sundial Resort #R401, will be open for Realtor® Caravan from 9 a.m. until noon. 5743 Baltusrol Court will be on Caravan the following week (Jan 15th), when the tour rotates to west end.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate Statistics

Below is a comparison of how island sales in 2014 stack up with the previous two years. Current inventory and properties under contract, but not yet closed, also are included. Real estate market recovery here continues at a nice solid pace.

SANIBEL        CONDOS                        HOMES                            LOTS

Avg.            Avg.               Avg.           Avg.             Avg.          Avg.

                        #     Price           DOM     #      Price            DOM     #     Price         DOM

Available         120  $716,119   436       152   $1,259,596  266       84   $512,690  802

Pending sales 20     $640,848  256       32     $976,767    305       6     $497,250  598

Sold/closed in:

2014                163   $653,365  287       205   $841,055   265       27  $424,198  495

2013                161   $573,557  326       197   $910,321    287       26  $416,502  475

2012                151    $551,244  407       183  $823,598   289       33   $487,687   521

CAPTIVA        CONDOS                        HOMES                            LOTS

Avg.            Avg.               Avg.           Avg.             Avg.          Avg.

                        #     Price           DOM     #      Price            DOM     #     Price         DOM

Available         37    $868,603    432       48    $3,598,835   336       7    $2,510,000 292

Pending sales  2     $640,000     24        2      $6,125,000    231      0     N/A             N/A

Sold/closed in:

2014               22    $624,068    421       23    $2,826,717   364       0     N/A             N/A

2013               36    $659,185    421       18    $2,522,056   355       2     $675,000   1,080

2012               35    $836,129    381       26    $1,536,019   609       3     $1,221,667 208

Island Events

CROW signIf you are on island and looking for things to do, be sure and check out the additional and varied programs and events being offered this year. The “Upcoming Events” tab above brings up a calendar list. I have updated it to include the new 2015 education programs at CROW.

Community House logoUpcoming Audubon lectures at The Community House will be added as they are advertised too.

Captiva Beach to Be Tilled

Captiva Beach

As part of the conditions of the beach renourishment project on Captiva that finished up last year, the renourished beach must be tilled at the end of the project and for three years after.

SeaturtlehatchlingsTilling lessens the impact of compacted sand on sea turtle nesting and hatching activities as turtles like soft sand for digging their nests.

The first tilling was done last December at the end of the project. The next one is scheduled to begin January 5, so as not to interfere with piper plover nesting which begins February 1 and sea turtle nesting which begins May 1.

The project will do the renourished portion on Sanibel first, then move to the north end of Captiva. From there, it will work south toward Blind Pass. The entire process is expected to take just a week, working from dawn to dusk, weather permitting. Residents and beach goes are required to remove all obstructions from the beach during the process and to stay a safe distance away from the tractor which is performing the work. See more info at www.mycepd.com

Legal Hot Line Re: Full Disclosure

Florida Realtors logoFlorida Realtors® Legal Hot Line often posts questions and answers in their magazine. Here’s a good one from the Jan/Feb 2015 edition:

“What are the minimum facts that a seller of residential property is required to disclose to a buyer in Florida when completing a seller’s disclosure form? The Florida Supreme Court held, in Johnson vs. Davis, that a home seller who knows of facts materially affecting the value of the property, which are not readily observable and are not known to the buyer, is under a duty to disclose them.”

Law & Ethics

CCW 119 LR FurnitureHere is some additional info from the same Florida Realtors® mag. This article is geared toward a Realtor® reader, but this info is important for Buyers and Sellers too.

“Are you the selling agent of a fully furnished home? If so, that sale may be subject to sales tax, which your broker is obligated to collect. While the sale of real property in Florida is not subject to sales tax, a sale that includes tangible personal property may be. If sales tax is due, the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) requires the seller’s broker to register as a dealer and collect and remit the tax.

“Whether sales tax is owed depends on how the transaction is structured. Sales tax is due when the personal property items, such as furniture, artwork, lamps and area rugs, are listed separately in the purchase sale contract, bill of sale or other document…A real estate broker is obligated to collect sales tax only when the tangible personal property is described and priced separately. The total sales tax collected must include both the state 6% sales tax and the applicable discretionary sales surtax, if any, levied in the county where the property is located….”

Top Real Estate Stories of 2014

2014-pale-blue-beautiful-clip-art-reflection_0From Florida Realtors® on-line:

“The real estate industry changed in 2014 – in some ways, significantly. Florida Realtors® has put together its annual recap of the top news stories that impacted Florida’s real estate….

http://www.floridarealtors.org/NewsAndEvents/2014-Top-News-Stories.cfm “

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 26-January 2 

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Arms #E7 1/1 $380K, Blind Pass #A102 2/2 $439K, Sundial #A301 2/2 $869.9K, Kings Crown #216 2/2 $940K.

1 price change: Sedgemoor #206 3/3.5 now $2.675M.

4 new sales: Sundial #D307 1/1 listed for $239K, Captains Walk #A2 1/1 listed for $245.9K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #6 2/2.5 listed for $684K, Gulf Beach #102 2/2 listed for $749K.

1 closed sale: Sundial #G101 2/2 $420K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 1188 Harbor Cottage Ct 3/3 $945,555; 518 N. Yachtsman 3/3 $1.2M.

4 price changes: 2407 Shop Rd 2/1 now $320K, 1825 Ardsley Way 3/2 now $515K, 3168 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $559K, 5076 Joewood Dr 3/2 now $949K.

3 new sales: 320 Palm Lake Dr 2/2 listed for $424K, 1130 Seagrape Ln 4/3 listed for $827K, 5721 SanCap Rd 3/3/2 listed for $1.595M.

4 closed sales: 1426 Causey Ct 3/2 $670K, 501 Sea Walk Ct 3/2 $790K, 1717 Jewel Box Dr 3/3.5 $1.7M, 1520 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/3.5 $1.92M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16183 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 $3.995M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 16428 Captiva Dr 7/8/2 listed for $9.5M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

1 new listing: 15879 Captiva Dr $2.995M.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

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.

happy new yearHAPPY NEW YEAR!

Until next Friday,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan