There are a lot of smiling faces on Sanibel today. After more rainy days earlier in the week, it could be that island weather is back to typical “rainy season” – just occasional showers.

We saw lots of sunshine both yesterday and today, so even the weekly visitors leaving tomorrow are happy.

At The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Yesterday was the June Membership Breakfast Meeting at the islands’ Association of Realtors®. Attendance was light, but the speaker was terrific – my friend, Fort Myers Beach Realtor® Cynthia Shafer.

She told the group about the Bedz for Kidz Program, a non-profit that she founded in 2001 on behalf of the local court’s Guardian ad Litem Program. As a GAL volunteer advocate, Cynthia discovered that sometimes children being relocated to a new living situation do not have their own bed. Caring people sometimes willing to take in a vulnerable child may lack the resources to provide them with their own bed. So since 2001, Cynthia and her husband have provided nearly 3,000 beds to those needy children in our five-county area. They have spent essentially every Saturday during those years, personally handling the delivery and assembly. As Cynthia says, “my husband has power tools”. Currently, particularly in need of colorful patterned twin sheets (like Batman, princesses, minions, etc.) and solid color crib sheets, those are the items that the Association will be collecting during the month of July to donate to Bedz for Kidz.

There were not a lot of new real estate announcements – new listings or new sales, but we are thankful to have one of each. The following Caravan tour of new properties only had one property open. The next Caravan meeting is June 29.

The action as posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service follows a few news items below.

Island Estimated Property Valuations Increase

Heading from a front-page article in June 7, “Islander” which says:

“The City of Sanibel property values have once again risen, an estimated 5.87%, over last year. The numbers will not be finalized until July 1 when the preliminary values, which are sent to the state, are set.

“The total taxable value in Sanibel is estimated at $5.031 billion up from the $4.752 billion final figure in 2016. Overall, Lee County’s estimated overall taxable value went up to 6.56%….

“”This is the start of the season where we are required to notify all the taxing authorities what they can look forward to in property values,” said Kenneth Wilkinson, Lee County Property Appraiser. “It tells them what they can set for the millage.” Wilkinson’s office has analyzed the market activity for all of 2016 and the numbers are based on what they were as of January 1, 2017.

“Once the preliminary numbers are set, Wilkinson will also give taxing authorities a rollback millage rate, what cities can lower the millage to so it can get the same money. ”It tells taxpayers who is raising taxes and by how much,” Wilkinson said.

“Fort Myers estimated valuation increased 8.09%, Cape Coral increased by 7.87%, Fort Myers Beach was up 4.84%, Bonita Springs increased 5.93%, and Estero went up to 4.64%.

“Obviously we have not risen at the same level as our neighboring communities, but we didn’t fall as much as our neighboring communities. It’s nice to get a little boost,” City Council member Mick Denham said. He said they are not quite sure what the data means to them quite yet due to the budget process getting underway. “This is not going to make a large difference to the way we think. We don’t have the growth in redevelopment here, or new properties like the rest of Lee County enjoys. We expect our revenue to be relatively flat over the next few years. We don’t have the space. We are built out,” Denham said.

“Wilkinson said all the numbers will likely change between now and July 1, which in recent years have trended upward. Those figures will be sent to Tallahassee for state approval. Winkinson said he has never had an assessment declined by the state.

“TRIM notices are mailed to property owners in August. Property owners will then have 25 days to resolve any disagreement in value with the property appraiser.”

The county tax appraiser’s web site, www.leepa.org is user-friendly and has more info.

Island Inn Breaks Ground on New Matthews Lodge

Article from today’s Santiva Chronicle on-line regarding Island Inn:

Built in 1895, …the historic Island Inn has launched the next phase of its refurbishment program with the replacement of the Matthews Lodge.

The multi-million-dollar investment will transform the 55-year-old, 12-unit concrete block building into a dozen Gulf-view luxury suites.…The revitalized Matthews Lodge suites, set to open in January 2018, will be designed with a large private screened balcony, living and dining room, full kitchen, custom tile floors, updated bath, personal wet bar, spacious bedroom, queen pull-out sofa and necessary electronics – all in 600 square-feet….”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 9-16, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Arms West #I3 2/2 $519K, Gulf Beach #102 2/2 $799K (our listing).

 

2 price changes: Loggerhead Cay #342 2/2 now $594K, Nutmeg Village #313 2/2 now $999K.

2 new sales: Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 listed at $339,555, By-The-Sea #C302 2/2 listed at $1.495M.

5 closed sales: Sandalfoot #4C3 2/2 $635K, Sunset South #2A 2/2 $672.5K, Kings Crown #208 2/2 $670K, Pointe Santo #B25 2/2 $715K, Kings Crown #106 2/2 $820K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 981 Main St 4/2.5 $689K.

7 price changes: 3021 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $495K; 1943 Sanibel Bayou Rd 3/3 now $699.5K; 563 Hideaway Ct 3/2 now $749K; 673 East Rocks Dr 3/2 now $749,888; 655 Anchor Dr 3/3 now $789K; 5657 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/2 now $975K; 1672 Hibiscus Dr 3/2 now $1.299M.

4 new sales: 215 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 listed at $699.9K (our buyer), 765 Conch Ct 5/4 listed at $939K, 518 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 listed at $1.345M, 3402 West Gulf Dr 3/2 listed at $1.65M.

5 closed sales: 1585 Serenity Ln 3/3 $505K, 755 Pen Shell Dr 3/2 $785K, 941 Pecten Ct 3/2 $882K, 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 $1.06M, 615 Lighthouse Way 3/3.5 $2,176,250.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 1311 Par View Dr now $278K.

3 new sales: 2529 Wulfert Rd listed at $300K, 9023 Mockingbird Dr listed at $389K, 2479 Harbour Ln listed at $535K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Beach Homes #8 4/3 now $2.625M.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2525 2/2 listed at $639K.

3 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3125 1/1 $233K, Beach Homes #29 4/4 $1.9M, Beach Homes #9 4/3.5 $2.95M.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report

(This representation is based, in whole, or in part, on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® or its Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

Until next Friday, wishing you sunshine too & a Happy Fathers’ Day weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan