It’s SanibelSusan reporting that we’ve had another week of typical summer weather here on the Sanibel and Captiva Islands – a few “off and on” showers, enough to leave a bit of standing water in a few locations.
It sure made for some terrific sunsets and beautiful rainbows though. Sunset photo here by our photographer pal, Jim Anderson with JMA Photography. Rainbow photo taken this morning by teammate Dave as he was coming across the causeway on his way to work.
We also had a nice closing on Monday at Sanibel Moorings. It is such a “happy” bright delightful condo too.
Did you know that Sanibel Moorings has an ever-expanding collection of tropical gardens with many native species? Their landscaping staff has created a variety of gardens. The condo that I just sold is near their hibiscus garden which has an eye-catching hybrid variety called “Black Dragon”. It’s a real beauty, but wasn’t blooming earlier in the week when I was on the grounds. However, yesterday the Moorings Facebook page posted this photo of it.
If you too would like to check out the Botanical Gardens at Sanibel Moorings, their guests are invited to their complimentary garden tour with their Master Garden/Naturalist, every Tuesday at 9 a.m. They meet in the butterfly garden and explore the community’s six acres of gardens in approximately two hours. For just $5.00, other island visitors are invited to take the 2-hour walking tour with the same gardener on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. Please RSVP to 800-237-5144 or 472-4119 for reservations/info. Be sure to bring your cell phone/camera.
Back to the real estate news: SanibelSusan Realty got a new near-beach home listing yesterday which will be posted in the MLS on Monday at the Sellers’ request. Teammate Dave held open “condos” a couple of times this week, but didn’t get much action. The week’s activity posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a few other news items below.
I also worked with some prospective home buyers on Sunday who selected me based on being long-time blog followers. Love it when that social media works!
Speaking of this blog, here’s another “thank you” to Scott who shared his photo this week and said I could share it with you too. Taken at his dock, he appropriately called it “Osprey Imposter”. Isn’t it great! (No pun intended, it really is a “great” egret or “great” white heron.)
Sanibel Makes Another List – “Best Beaches in the World”
A view from the lighthouse end of Sanibel, photo courtesy of Lee County Vistor & Convention Bureau
U.S. News Travel recently posted a list of the 12 best beaches in the world. Their article says “For some beachgoers, leafy palms rustling in the breeze, calm waves lapping against the shore and remote stretches of powdery sand are all that’s required for total bliss. But for others, magnificent scenery and a bustling boardwalk are the main attractions. U.S. News Travel has compiled a list of dreamy sands that are sure to inspire you to grab your beach bag and go.”
The list includes: Seychelles, Kauai, Cayman Islands, Maldives, Bali, Anguilla, Corfu, Turks & Caicos, Rio de Janeiro, Sanibel Island, Puerto Vallarta, and Cape Town.
Snapshots of Sanibel’s Residential Real Estate Sales
When we recently mailed our Sellers their monthly listing progress report letters, they included some comparisons of Sanibel sales this year compared to 2012. Some readers requested an expansion of that info, so here are some comparisons of both the number of sales and the “median” sale price of the properties sold from the first of the year to July 12th, for 2013 and 2012. It shows more indication that Sanibel’s home segment of the real estate market is really rebounding!
SANIBEL HOMES
On beach Canal/bay with boating In golf community Near-beach with pool
2013 14 $3,245,000 23 $899,000 25 $649,900 31 $739,000
2012 8 $2,845,000 24 $814,500 27 $549,000 27 $639,000
SANIBEL CONDOS
Gulf-front 2000+sq. ft. Monthly or no rentals 2-Bedrm short-term rentals
2013 5 $1,324,000 30 $594,000 50 $509,500
2012 5 $1,950,000 20 $797,000 56 $479,000
SANIBEL LOTS
For single residence Near beach In golf community Inland
2013 12 $349,278 5 $249,000 0 N/A 2 $184,000
2012 21 $299,000 14 $289,000 1 $150,000 2 $194,450
NAR Call for Action: “Do No Harm to Homeowners”
When I saw this National Association of Realtors® (NAR) call to action on “FloridaRealtors” on-line on Wednesday, you can be sure that I responded immediately. As Realtors® spread the word on this important subject, I encourage all concerned citizens to likewise contact their personal state representatives and senators. Posted on-line at FloridaRealtors®, the article says:
“WASHINGTON – July 10, 2013 – The U.S. Congress has started to consider the U.S. tax code with an eye on getting rid of tax deductions. It’s starting with a “blank slate” approach, meaning lawmakers are to assume that all current tax deductions go away and then, one by one, add back the deductions they feel are worthy.
“That puts the mortgage interest deduction enjoyed by many homeowners in jeopardy, along with other provisions that benefit ownership and real estate investment.
“The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) wants lawmakers to understand the importance of housing to individual homeowners, and it wants to remind lawmakers of the industry’s importance in the United State’s current economic rebound.
“NAR has issued a Call for Action asking Realtors to contact their personal representatives in the U.S. House and Senate. The Call for Action system allows Realtor members, through a dedicated website, to easily send a letter to the key lawmakers that represent their district.
“Since the Call-for-Action system automatically looks up a Realtor’s representatives and has the email text filled in, it takes only a few minutes. For a number of issues facing lawmakers, the actual volume of emails plays a role as they decide how to vote on an issue.
“Senators have until July 26 to submit their tax reform priorities, and “Realtors need to make their voices heard now so real estate provisions are on the top of the Senators’ lists,” according to NAR’s Call for Action.
“There are two ways to contact lawmakers:
• Online: Visit NAR’s Realtor Action Center.
• Phone app: The app allows Realtors to quickly respond to a Call for Action and stay current on issues. Find out more on NAR’s Realtor Action Center webpage.
“NAR also encourages support messages and posts on its Facebook and Twitter feeds.”
Citizens Joins the World of Social Media
FloridaRealtors does such a great job of keeping its Realtors® informed that I want to share this one too, for those who want to stay up on what is happening with Citizens. Citizens Property Insurance Corporation was created in 2002 from the merger of two other entities to provide both windstorm coverage and general property insurance for home-owners who could not get insurance elsewhere. It was established by the Florida Legislature as a not-for-profit insurer of last resort. Headquartered in Tallahassee, it became the largest insurer in the state.
“TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – July 11, 2013 – Want to stay current on Citizens Property Insurance updates? On July 1, the Florida-owned insurer entered social media with accounts on Twitter and Facebook. Citizens says it’s responding to changes in the way customers and the public get their information, and social media gives it a better way to communicate with policyholders, agents, the media and other stakeholders.
“Initially, Citizens’ sites will focus on hurricane season activities and storm preparation. Going forward, the state-backed insurer plans to expand its social media presence to add information about company wide programs and initiatives. You can follow Citizens on:
Twitter
• Policyholders and the public: @citizens_fla
• Agents: @citizens_agents
• Media: @citizensflanews
Facebook
• Citizens Property Insurance Corporation”
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 5-12
Sanibel
CONDOS
3 new listings: Coquina Beach #5G 2/2 $415K, Mariner Pointe #112 2/2 $569K, Gulfside Place #323 2/2 $969K.
1 price change: Seawind #A109 2/2 now $399K.
4 new sales: Pointe Santo #C24 1/1 listed for $459K, Loggerhead Cay #211 2/2 listed for $519K, Cottage Colony West #103 1/1 listed for $538.9K, Sanddollar #B104 2/2 listed for $859K.
3 closed sales: Sanibel Moorings #241 1/1 $299K (our buyer), Signal Inn #12 1/1 $400K, Island Beach Club #220B 2/2 $465K.
HOMES
1 new listing: 916 Palm St 5/4 multi-family $529K.
3 price changes: 9459 Begonia Ct 3/4 now $634K, 1013 Lindgren Blvd 4/3 now $839K, 1306 Par View Dr 3/3.5 now $857K.
7 new sales: 490/460 Old Trail Rd 3/2 listed for $390K (short sale), 2079 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 listed for $430K, 1610 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 listed for $459K, 5297 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 listed for $539K, 776 Conch Ct 3/2 listed for $649K (short sale), 385 Old Trail Rd 4/2.5 listed for $899K, 960 Victoria Way 3/3 listed for $1.098M.
No closed sales.
LOTS
No new listings.
1 price change: 2562 Coconut Dr now $379K.
1 new sale: 2 Island Inn Rd listed for $159,555.
No closed sales.
Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Tennis Villas #3139 2/2 now $380K.
1 new sale: Beach Villas #2533 2/2 listed for $699K.
2 closed sales: Sunset Beach Villas #2328 2/2 $572K, Bayside Villas #5344 3/3 $620K.
HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 15160 Captiva Dr 6/6.5 now $1.899M, 11516 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5 now $1.975M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 11411 Dickey Ln 1/1 $400K.
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 the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.
It’s expected to be a beautiful weekend here, hope it’s the same for you! SanibelSusan