A Sunny Warm Grateful Friday on Sanibel Island

Posted on September 6, 2019 by SanibelSusan

It is SusanSusan reporting that all is well on Sanibel after a fearful few days of Dorian-watching. It certainly was heart-breaking to see the devastation in the Bahamas. The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® has teamed with the Over Easy Café and is a drop-off point for Bahamas donations. The first two days of contributions at Over Easy have already been delivered to their next destination, with collections continuing for at least another week.

As probably expected, the holiday weekend here turned into a bust with many visitors/vacationers opting to cancel their plans. There has been very little traffic on Periwinkle all week. Some pretty spectacular sunrises and sunsets, though.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Though a quiet week, the team and I were happy to get a new listing in Sanibel Bayous over the weekend. Then, on Tuesday, teammate Dave got all of our listing “for sale” signs back in place.

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® transition to their new Multiple Listing Service continues for the second week with kinks continuing to be worked out as the system and its reports are fine-tuned to our geographic areas. If you previously received automatic email updates about a particular property type, those databases did not convert with the transition, but I am s-l-o-w-l-y setting up new searches so that you will begin receiving listings again.

The new system offers a Collaboration Center where both prospective buyers and sellers may access the system, make changes to their search criteria, save favorite listings, delete others, and request additional information. If you would like your email address to be set up for a search followed by automatic notifications, just let us know.

Mid-week, Dave and I visited a couple of condos at Sundial Resort. It was surprising to see so few vehicles there, but like at other complexes in September, associations are making good use of the downtime. At Sundial West, the building walkways and stairs were being pressure washed.

At our listing at Sanibel Arms West, the building is being painted this month, with no rental bookings allowed until Oct 5. Showings still will be permitted, however, so we are trying to drum some up. It gets tough with income-producing properties to get access “in season”, so now is a good time for those investors to be looking.

View from Sanibel Arms West #E2

At the Caravan Meeting yesterday at the islands’ Association of Realtors®, there were few announcements, and no new listings were open for viewings. That break in the usual program provided a nice opportunity for me to pass along a couple of the “giving keys” that I purchased recently at the Florida Realtors® RPAC Jamboree. “Giving keys” are typical-looking house keys, but each is stamped with an inspirational word. Worn on a chain around your neck. “Giving keys” are to be enjoyed, then shared, by passing them along to someone else who also may be inspired by their message. I passed along three keys, “hope”, “trust”, and “strong” to Association members Kasey Albright, Megan Rose, and Mary Lou Bailey, encouraging them to also “pay them forward”.

After a couple of news items below, you will find an update of the activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday.

Temporary Closings

The Chamber of Commerce has posted the below list of island temporary restaurant closures. As in past years, many take staff vacations now, do annual deep cleans, and fix-ups before “season”.

Restaurants	Closed
Blue Rendezvous French Bistro	Now through Oct
Blue Giraffe	Sep 2-16
Gramma Dot’s	Sep 3-26
Il Cielo	Now through Oct
Joey’s Custard	Sep 20-Oct 3
Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant	Month of Sep
Over Easy Café	Sep 9-19
Pecking Order	Closed Sundays thru Sep
Sand Dollar (Sanibel Island Beach Resort)	Breakfast only Dinner only Fri & Sat
Schnapper’s	Sep 3-16
Sweet Melissa’s	Sep 8-30
Traders	Sep 16-30
T2	Sep 16-30
Traditions	Closed Sundays thru Oct 20 Closed Sep 1-22, & Nov 16

Island Cinema – Also closed temporarily for annual maintenance is Island Cinema in the Bailey’s Shopping Center. It is closed all month and expects to reopen in early Oct.

Rosie’s Café & Grill is back. After a year-long absence Rosie’s reopened recently in its former location in Palm Ridge Place. The restaurant dates back a few decades when it went by the name Rosie’s Deli & Market and was on Sanibel’s east end. The 4^th generation of owners, Joanne Fitzgerald and Irving Gavin, bought the restaurant in 2009 when it was still on the east end. (Gavin is the son of Eugene, of the well-known Gavin family that settled on Sanibel in 1914.) The restaurant relocated to its current location, reopening in 2012 under the name Rosie’s Café & Grill. Currently serving breakfast and lunch; dinner will be available in-season starting in Nov. In addition to their former menu and Royal Scoop ice cream, Rosie’s now serves barbeque and soon will expand with a new bakery. Hours now are 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday and Monday, and 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tues through Sat.

Upcoming Events

Captiva Triathlon – is this weekend, Sat and Sun Sep 7 and 8. As a reminder, Captiva Drive will be closed tomorrow at 6:45 a.m. and remain closed until the bike segment of the race is complete. The USAT-sanctioned adult sprint triathlon is a ¼-mile swim, 10-mile bike, and 3.1-mile (5K) run on Captiva. The swim will be in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the bike will cover the length of Captiva on closed roads, and the run will be on the golf course path along the Gulf and Redfish Pass at South Seas Island Resort. On Sunday, there will be three age groups for the USAT National Splash n’ Dash race:

Ages 6-8: 100-yard swim, 0.5-mile run
Ages 9 & 10: 100-yard swim, 1-mile run
Ages 11-15: 200-yard swim, 1-mile run

The race is to benefit Community Cooperative’s Growing Healthy Kids and Mobile Food Pantry programs. More info at https://www.gearedup.biz/.

2^nd Annual Flip-Flop Family Scavenger Hunt – This Sanibel Sea School fundraiser will kick-off at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Oct 5, at Saint Michael & All Angels Episcopal Church at 2304 Periwinkle Way. At check-in, each scavenger team (up to eight individuals) will be given a book of clues and challenges, each worth a set number of points. Included are clues that could be easily solved by younger children. Through the hunt, participants will use their knowledge of the island, marine biology, and local folklore to earn points. Along the way, teams will visit several Sanibel locations, where they may be asked to take a photo or bring back a specific shell or artifact to prove the visit. The Sea School says, “The key to hosting a successful scavenger hunt is creating clues that can be solved by anyone in the family, no matter their age.” The event is expected to be completed by 3 p.m. At the finish line check-in station, staff will tally all points collected by each team. Those teams will be able to “buy” letters with their points earned in order to solve the final puzzle. The team that solves the final puzzle correctly first will determine the winner, but that might not necessarily be the team that tallies the most points. Cost to participate is $25 per person. Participants must provide their own transportation. All proceeds will support the nonprofit’s scholarship fund which provides ocean experiences to thousands of area children each year. Tickets may be purchased on line at www.sanibelseaschool.org/flipflopfundraiser or by calling 239-472-8585.

Annual CROW Classic Golf Tournament – Also on Saturday, Oct 5 at The Sanctuary is the annual CROW Classic Golf Tournament. Shotgun starts at 12:30 p.m. with check-in at 11 a.m. and lunch at 11:30. Player registration is open to 100 golfers. It features 18 holes, a helicopter ball drop, and chances to score prizes. Players may sign up as a foursome, or as individuals and will be matched up as a team. All of the proceeds from the tournament will benefit the animals at CROW, their care, public education, training, etc. The community is encouraged to sign up to play or purchase some helicopter balls. Players can register to play (through Sep 16) and players/non-players can purchase balls (through Oct 3) at www.CROWClinic.org.

Positive Trends for Florida Real Estate

Posted yesterday on LinkedIn by local Realtor® colleague Wendy Humphrey with Premier Sotheby’s International Realty:

“SALT, the cap on state and local tax deductions, is likely to lead to a Florida population boom according to estimates from Demographic Estimating Conference.

“The controversial $10,000 cap on state and local tax deductions encourages moving cash from high tax northern states to lower-tax states like Florida while it remains in effect. It is due to expire in 2025.

“Then there’s actually some relatively good news for Florida and other southern states regarding global warming.

“Data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration which examines annual temperatures for the U.S. indicates warming is very uneven with some states barely warming at all.

“Northeastern states and Utah, Colorado and Wyoming have experienced extreme warming while many southern states have experience little change. Some have even cooled slightly. Florida has seen slight to moderate change. For the full report go to The Washington Post of August 13, 2019.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 30 – September 6, 2019

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Ibis at The Sanctuary #B102 2/2 $489K, Sanddollar #A101 2/2 $1.25M, Sundial #E108 3/2 $1.3M, Cyprina Beach #1 3/3 $1.45M.

No price changes or new sales.

2 closed sales: Seashells #42 2/2 $375K, Bandy Beach #B101 3/2 $1.185M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 1203 Kittiwake Cir 3/2.5 $539K, 1954 Roseate Ln 3/2 $599K.

3 price changes: 9195 Dimmick Dr 2/2 now $424K, 430 Old Trail Rd 3/2.5 now $599K, 743 Windlass way 3/2 now $669K.

2 new sales: 1305 Eagle Run Dr 3/2.5 listed at $998.5K, 2915 Wulfert Rd 5/.5 listed at $2.875M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Lot at 4566 Buck Key Rd in Sanibel Bayous

1 new listing: 4566 Buck Key Rd $149K (our listing).

2 price changes: 1219 Par View Dr now $299K, 1305 Seaspray Ln now $599K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 11530 Laika Ln 4/4 $1.797M.

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 or participated in these transactions.

Until next Friday, wishing everyone a great weekend & week,

Susan Andrews aka SanibelSusan

Sanibel Island Scoop on July 27, 2018

Posted on July 27, 2018 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan reporting just another sunny Friday afternoon on Sanibel – also another quiet week in the world of island real estate sales.

Teammate Dave and I checked a few properties this afternoon which took us out to Sanibel’s west end with a stop in Santiva and another near The Green Flash on Captiva. Here are a couple of photos overlooking Roosevelt Channel.

Green Flash 07-27-18 2 Green Flash 07-27-18 1

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Our local Association of Realtors® makes good use of summer downtime, which is when our members promote and support several charities and non-profits.

Meals of Hope Pix 2018

Our “Meals of Hope” food packing event on Tuesday raised $7,455 and had 80+ volunteers (including Association staff, Realtors®, affiliates, friends and families) working together to pack over 20,000 meals – in less than three hours. Those meals go to local food banks and pantries which are low on food this time of the year.

Yesterday at our Association’s July membership meeting, colleague Anita Colletti from Naples told the group about “Silent Angels” which is a quiet behind-the-scenes non-profit that began in Florida to help Realtor® families in time of emergency.

Next month, the Association again will be collecting new twin and crib sheets for “Bedz for Kidz”, a non-profit started in 2001 by Realtor® friend, Cynthia Shafer, who through the course of her advocacy with the local Guardian ad Litem Foundation, recognized the need for beds/bedding when vulnerable children are moved by Florida’s 20^th Judicial Circuit. Cynthia and her husband often spend their Saturdays delivering beds and bedding to these needy kids. Though their identification is never disclosed, it is humbling to hear her stories of how the kids’ eyes light up when they get their own “stuff”. The Shafers travel our 5-county area and have assembled and provided thousands of beds. I got a message from her yesterday, that they are off to provide another eleven tomorrow. Donations and more sheets, bedding, backpacks, and small suitcases are always welcome.

What’s Happening With The Water

Big “thank yous” again this week go to Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane, Councilwoman Holly Smith, and City Director of Natural Resources James Evans who were in DC in back-to-back meetings with members of the Senate, Congress, and others.

L to R: Mayor Ruane, Director Evans, Councilor Smith, & Congressman Rooney (pix from Congressman Rooney’s Facebook page)

Mayor Ruane also gave a presentation to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Task Force about the conditions of Southwest Florida waterways. He asked committee members to maintain Lake “O” flows at or below 3,000 cfs for the remainder of the rainy season; accelerate critical CERP projects (the Everglades Agricultural Area Reservoir, C-43 reservoir & Lake “O” Watershed project), and to use maximum operational flexibility to move additional water south. “We are at a critical state right now with regard to the health and safety of our coastal communities, the ecology of our estuaries, our quality of life, and our local economy,” he said.

Solutions to water quality problems are complicated, many, and some long-term. We all must continue to keep the pressure on. You can be sure the Realtors® on Sanibel and Captiva are, another fundraiser with proceeds to benefit water quality efforts at SCCF is scheduled next month.

Lee County Tax Appraiser Posts 2018 Property Values

It usually is not until mid-August, that Lee County property owners receive the year’s TRIM notices (notices of proposed properties taxes) which are based on their new annual property valuation. The 2018 property values, however, already have been posted on the site. They are dated July 16, 2018.

If you are wondering about the change in a Lee County property value, go to www.leepa.org. Click on Database Search, then click on Property Data Search. Fill in either an owner’s name (last name first) or address, click search and up comes the data page for that parcel. Once you find the property, click on the blue link on the right called “Parcel Details”. Once on the property page, to the left of the photo is a heading called “Current Working Values”. Click on the little “colorful book” icon to the right of the words and up will come “Property Value History” showing by taxable year the assessed values for each year, including taxable values. If you want just the details on the 2018 value, further down on the data page is an expandable menu under “Values (2018 Preliminary)”. Click the plus sign and you will see the details of the 2018 assessment.

If a property owner disagrees with a value, the time to take that up with the county Tax Appraiser is just after the TRIM notice is received in August.

Upcoming Island Events & Closures

From tomorrow, Saturday July 28 to Sunday August 5 – Sanibel Recreation Closed – for annual maintenance projects including resurfacing of the gym floor, replacement of the pool heating and cooling system, and others.

Tuesday, July 31 – 1^st Islander Wine Dinner Fundraiser – to benefit The Community House and at The Community House presented by Sanibel Catering Company (Bailey’s and Talbott Vineyards). Tickets at www.sanibelcommunityhouse.net or call 239-472-2155.

Friday, August 10 – Bag Day at Noah’s Ark Thrift Shop. This is their annual end-of-season sale. From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. shoppers can buy a bag for $4 and fill it with as much as they can. Any items that don’t fit in the bag are 80% off. Shoppers can buy as many bags as they want for $4 each. Proceeds go to more than 25 local, regional, and global charities and agencies. From August 10 to September 1, the Ark does not take donations. On October 2, Noah’s Ark reopens for business on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. In November, the winter season full schedule resumes – open weekdays and the first Saturday of each month from 9: 30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

*Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 20-27, 2018***

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Arms #A1 2/1 $535K, Island Beach Club #210B 2/2 $825K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Tennisplace #A34 2/1.5 listed at $329.9K, Seawind #109 2/2.5 listed at $512.5K.

2 closed sales: Sandpiper Beach #506 2/2 $670K, Nutmeg Village #205 2/2 $705K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 2313 Wulfert Rd 4/3 $995K, 4787 Rue Helene 4/3 $997.5K.

4 price changes: 1325 Par View Dr 3/3 now $695K, 3017 Turtle Gait Ln 3/2 now $729K, 3941 Coquina Dr 3/2 now $899K, 2915 Wulfert Rd 5/6.5 now $3.295M.

3 new sales: 9028 Mockingbird Ln 4/3 listed at $799K, 500 Periwinkle Way 3/3 listed at $1.195M, 2029 Periwinkle Way 4/3 listed at $1.69M.

2 closed sales: 1066 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $620K, 223 Daniel Dr 4/3 $825K.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Lot 27, Leisure Acres $35K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Lands End Village #1629 2/2 $1.429M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Tennis Villas #3129 1/1 listed at $325K, Beach Villas #2614 2/2 listed at $614K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11522 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 $2,999,999.

1 price change: 55 Sandpiper Ct 3/2 now $999K.

1 new sale: 11541 Wightman Ln 3/3 listed at $2.05M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

It’s a Summer-Like Sanibel February

Posted on February 16, 2018 by SanibelSusan

12-28-15 Scott 7 White pelican It’s SanibelSusan reporting that all’s well on another sunny Sanibel Friday. I won’t mention the traffic which is worse than I ever remember it pre-weekend. It’s been a constant stream of cars tying up Periwinkle, coming onto the island until midday, when it changes to heavy traffic in both directions. From mid-afternoon on, as usual there is extra traffic heading off-island. Last night it cleared up by 6:30 p.m.

So, we grit our teeth, plan our days differently, don’t turn right, and remember that we are sharing fabulous weather with extra snowbirds and vacationers. It makes it a challenge when we are driving with prospective buyers. Those new to the island have a hard time believing that it’s like this for just a few weeks each year.

They sure love the weather though. It really has been amazing for February – bright blue skies with a few occasional clouds, daytime temperatures ranging from the low 80’s into the 90’s (record setting numbers), and sparkling water surrounding the island.

Beach

At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

SanibelSusan Realty from Periwinkle Way We had good action with our listing this week, with several more showings scheduled tomorrow during turn-over in some of the vacation rentals. With the big annual Arts and Crafts Fair across the street from the office both tomorrow and Sunday, we hope for some walk-in business.

If you have a three-day weekend, we hope you enjoy it. If you are here, we hope you drop in.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Monthly Membership Meeting – Yesterday was the February monthly Membership Breakfast Meeting and Caravan for the local Association of Realtors®. Guest speaker was Julie LePore with FIRPTA Solutions, Inc. FIRPTA is the Foreign Investment in Real Property Tax Act of 1980 and it covers the disposition of U.S. real property interest by a foreign person. I’ve covered it in my updates before, but she mentioned a couple of points many Sellers don’t realize.

FIRPTA – If you are selling real estate in the U.S. and are NOT a foreign Seller, there still is a form required by FIRPTA. These Sellers must sign a Certificate of Non-Foreign Status which indicates that FIRPTA withholding is not required. So, don’t be surprised if the title company handling your closing asks you to sign a form that includes your social security number or tax identification number.

Alternatively, in the case where the Seller is foreign, more questions apply. If the Buyer does not have definite plans to reside at the property at least 50% of the time that the property is in use, the Buyer is required to withhold 15% of the sale proceeds. Yes, that is a requirement of the Buyer. Usually Buyers don’t know this. Here, the title company handles this withholding. If the Buyer will reside the property being purchased, depending on the price, there could be change in the amount needing to be withheld. Best to consult with an expert if you are a Buyer and the Seller is foreign. FIRPTA Solution is a good resource at www.firptasolutions.com.

Caravan Announcements – We weren’t lucky enough to get another sale this week, but plenty were announced at the Caravan meeting. One colleague who just listed a $2+M property announced that it went under contract in hours for full-price, cash, quick close. Just an example of what can happen in a situation where a buyer is waiting for an property in a specific location or of a certain size or condition.

What’s Happening With the Sanibel Real Estate Market?

Using info from the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service as described in the disclosure below, here are some summaries.

Number of Sanibel Price Reductions in last 30 days: 105 (71 homes, 7 lots, 28 condos)

Considering that there are just 362 Sanibel properties for sale, that’s a lot of price reductions.

How Many Properties Are Selling Compared to the Competition?

	# Available	# Sold/Closed 2018	# Under Contract
*SANIBEL CONDOS*
Income-Producing	75	4	8
With 3 Bedrooms	12	4	5
Under $500K	23	3	13
Over $1M	21	5	4
*SANIBEL HOMES*
Canal-front	39	4	8
Near-beach	87	16	15
Gulf-front	12	5	3
Under $500K	9	5	2
Over $1M	91	18	19

No Rate Increase for 8^th Year in a Row

LCEC (Lee County Electric Coop) posted this info in their February “LCEC News”. With most prices increasing, it’s great to hear that LCEC’s electric rates have remained the same. “Rates actually have decreased over the past four years…Even after spending more than $30 million on Hurricane Irma restoration, rates will remain the same for 2018. As a cooperative, LCEC is eligible for partial FEMA reimbursement for disaster recovery….”

Upcoming Events

Sanibel-Captiva Rotary Club’s 35^th Art & Craft Fair – with over 100 artists & food court – tomorrow & Sunday, Feb 17 & 18 at The Community House and Sanibel City Park across the street from SanibelSusan Realty Associations. Open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
Annual Kiwanis Spaghetti Dinner – an island favorite for nearly 40 years, Saturday Feb 24 from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Community House. Funds raised go to island youth education and recreation activities including scholarships. (If you are on-island and need a ticket, give me a call, I know who delivers… just got my ticket today.)
Annual Peek at the Unique – annual fundraiser tours of four unique island residences, hosted by The Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva on Saturday Mar 10 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Transportation by air-conditioned buses. Tickets required. More info at zontasancap.com, tickets at Eventbrite or www.zontasancap.com/events/peek
SCCF’s 7th Annual Beer in the Bushes – Saturday Mar 31 from 6 to 10 p.m. on the grounds of SCCF’s (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) Nature Center. Attendees are encouraged to dress in “soul train” attire of the 70’s. Purchase tickets at http://www.sccfbeer.eventbrite.com

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity February 9-16, 2018

Sanibel

CONDOS

7 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #212 1/1 $425K, Sanibel Moorings #141 1/1 $475K, Kings Crown #312 2/2 $799K, White Sands #13 2/2 $949K, Sundial West #E104 2/2 $995K, Blue Gulf #101 3/2 $1.42M, High Tide #B102 2/2 $1.795M.

2 price changes: Beach Road Villa #104 2/2 now $455K, Sundial West #F201 2/2 now $799K.

8 new sales: Tennisplace #D21 1/1 listed at $239.8K, Captains Walk #D5 2/1 listed at $299.5K, Seashells #40 2/2 listed at $349.9K, Sundial West #J307 2/2 listed at $759K, Sundial West #F201 2/2 listed at $799K, Nutmeg Village #201 2/2 listed at $999K, Pine Cove #102 3/2 listed at $1.25M, Seascape #202 3/3.5 listed at $2.195M.

3 closed sales: Colonnades #C3 1/1 $225K; Lighthouse Point #220 2/2 $435K; White Sands #32 2/2.5 $978,625.

HOMES

8 new listings: 9408 Moonlight Dr 3/2 $599K, 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 $679K, 5885 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 $699K, 617 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $839K, 9027 Mockingbird Dr 4/3 $869K, 2629 Coconut Dr 2/3 $1.198M, 735 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3 $1.339M, 519 Kinzie Island Ct 2/2.5 $1.35M.

21 price changes: 6143 Henderson Rd 4/3 now $444.9K, 1040 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $549K, 958 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $619K, 474 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $679.9K, 749 Cardium St 3/2 now $749K, 5430 Osprey Ct 3/3 now $774K, 5410 Osprey Ct 3/2.5 now $799K, 9446 Beverly Ln 3/3.5 now $819K, 924 Beach Rd 3/2 now $895K, 3239 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $899K, 2480 Library Way 3/2.5 now $899K, 1265 Par View Dr 3/2.5 now $899K, 3941 Coquina Dr 3/2 now $979K, 5402 Osprey Ct 4/3 now $995K, 1426 Causey Ct 3/2.5 now $1.195M, 805 Sand Dollar Dr 4/3 now $1.295M, 1995 My Tern Ct 4/2 now $1.349M, 4992 Joewood Dr 3/3.5 now $1.465M, 1525 Sand Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 now $1.575M, 514 Kinzie Island Ct 4/5 now $1.895M, 4166 Dingman Dr 4/4 now $2.599M.

8 new sales: 667 Spartina Ct 3/2 listed at $619,555; 563 Hideaway Ct 3/2 listed at $699K, 3980 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $799K; 5657 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/2 listed at $895K, 925 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 listed at $995K; 1152 Buttonwood Ln 3/3.5 listed at $1.379M; 1271 Isabel Dr 4/4.5 listed at $3.299M, 1077 Bird Ln 4/4/2 listed at $5.995M.

6 closed sales: 9292 Kincaid Ct 3/2 $480K, 1613 Sand Castle 3/2.5 half-duplex $499K, 1717 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 $610K, 900 Almas Ct 3/3.5 $1.015M, 1313 Eagle Run Dr 3/3 $1.35M, 3945 West Gulf Dr 3/3 $3M.

LOTS

No new listings.

2 price changes: 412 Tiree Cir now $329,555; 2401 Blue Crab Ct now $679K.

No new sales:

1 closed sale: 2626 Coconut Dr $329K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5144 1 /2 $385K.

1 price change: Beach Homes #25 3/2 now $2.095M.

No new sales or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11531 Paige Ct 4/3.5 listed at $3.45M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Enjoy your weekend & Presidents Day!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Sanibel/Captiva Scoop – Labor Day Weekend 2017

Posted on September 1, 2017 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan reporting that Sanibel & Captiva have pretty much dried out from the three days of rain experienced last weekend. My street was flooded until Monday afternoon.

Anchor rain

Local area schools and City offices were closed on Monday, due mostly to flooding in off-island areas.

But, by Tuesday through today, the weather has been sunny and mostly bright with any lingering showers inland. Reports too are that the shelling has been great!

Now we are all keeping a close eye on Hurricane Irma. The end of hurricane season can’t come soon enough for me, sure still seems like the end of Nov is a long way off.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Sanibelsusan Logo This being what often is considered the “slowest week” of the year, it was good timing for the rain, yet a real surprise to get a showing request Sunday afternoon amid the downpours. It also was a real treat to work with a couple of sisters here for their first visit – who after just two days decided they needed to look at real estate. They were leaving the island midday Monday, unfazed by the showers, already fascinated with Sanibel, and even talking of moving here.

So much fun to work with prospects who know this is the place for them – appreciating the ambience, beaches, environmental conscience here. No offers yet, but the action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service this week, follows a few news items below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

No Caravan meeting this week, but our Communications/Public Relations Committee met Tuesday morning and made plans to accelerate our Sept donation project so that we could help the victims of Hurricane Harvey. (The paragraphs below describe what we are doing and how you can help too.)

Tuesday midday, at a surprise luncheon at Casa Ybel Resort’s Thistle Lodge, our Association of Realtors® celebrated the retirement of our CEO Peggy Hummel who has been a steady stabilizing leader for our organization for many years. We hated to see her go, but appreciate that she left us in good hands. Best wishes, Peggy!

Peggy Peggy Party

Realtors® Helping Nationally – The National Association of Realtors® in a broadcast email on Tues, asked members to support victims of Hurricane Harvey.

“Our hearts go out to the tens of thousands of families who have been displaced by catastrophic storms on the Texas coastline. Officials are calling Hurricane Harvey and the subsequent flooding a 500-year weather event, one of the most epic storms in our nation’s history.

“When disaster strikes, REALTORS® step up, whether that’s to deliver food, water, or other vital assistance or to donate money to those in need. That’s where the REALTORS® Relief Foundation comes in. Since its inception in 2001, the RRF has raised more than $25 million to provide mortgage and rental assistance to victims of more than 50 disasters, including wildfires, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. RRF is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization, with administrative costs covered by the National Association of REALTORS®. That means 100% of all donations go directly to victims of disaster.

“NAR is calling on the REALTOR® family to donate funds to the foundation to support storm victims in Texas. Martin Edwards, a REALTOR® from Tennessee, serves as president of the foundation board. Martin has said, “Harvey may require our REALTOR® family’s largest effort since Hurricane Katrina—or even 9/11. Hopefully, REALTORS® across America will heed the call to donate, as on-the-ground membership in Texas will be stretched beyond belief.”

“We are asking you to join us in this effort with your personal donation to the REALTORS® Relief Foundation. You can do so in less than one minute using your credit card on our secure online form. Or you can send a check payable to RRF to REALTORS® Relief Foundation, 430 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611. Write “RRF Contribution” in the memo line.

“Please send your donation today so your contribution can reach people who need it now. Our efforts both reflect and depend on the generosity of REALTORS®. Together, let’s continue to make a difference. Thank you.”

Realtors® Helping at State Level & Here on Sanibel & Captiva Islands – Florida Realtors® is coordinating preparation of “totes for hope” and the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® is part of that effort. We are collecting the following travel-sized items which will be individually packaged into Ziplock® bags – with one item in each bag.

Shipments to Houston begin today and will continue through next Friday, so please drop any donations off before Wed, Sept 6 at The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Office at 2353 Periwinkle Way, Suite 201 (located upstairs over Finnimore’s Cycle Shop, in the building behind Winds).

My hard-working always-willing-to-help Communication/Publications Committee members will work bagging them on Wed afternoon, after which the bags will travel to the Naples Board of Realtors® which is the drop-off point for our Southwest Florida District.

Adhesive Bandages
Safety Pins
Toothbrushes
Toothpaste
Dental Floss
Deodorant
Body wash
Hand sanitizer
Disposable Razors
Shaving Cream
Combs/Brushes
Small Bars of Soap/Body Wash
Cotton Swabs
Pocket Tissues
Lotion
Mouthwash
Lip Balm.

Flooded Homes Can Be Fixed But…

This timely article was posted by Realtor.com on Tuesday, Aug 29, 2017:

“As Hurricane Harvey moves off the coastline of Texas, it’s leaving massive flooding in its wake that has destroyed homes and businesses.

“Until the floodwaters recede, cleanup efforts are mostly on hold. But remediation companies say they’re ready to jump into action as soon as they’re able. In preparation for the undertaking, here are a few important items to share about repairing a flooded home, compiled by realtor.com®.

“Time is of the essence.

A home that has been flooded does not need to be torn down, but the water does need to be removed quickly. Truck-mounted vacuums with 2,000 horsepower and dehumidifiers can extract moisture from furniture, hardwood, tile, and Sheetrock. But Robyn Kent, a claims administrator at Dalworth Restoration in Euless, Texas, says the most important element is getting it cleaned up quickly: “Closer to the three- to five-day mark is when it becomes questionable, since by then, all the materials have become fragile.”

“Mold is the real issue.

“One of the biggest problems—especially in Houston in the summer—is going to be mold,” Tyler Drew, a Los Angeles real estate professional and investor, told realtor.com®. “The longer a house sits with water, the worse the mold infestation. Affected areas have to be removed, the wood and concrete treated with anti-mold agents, and all of this has to be done after the house is sealed, in order to prevent the infestation from spreading and sickening people.”

“Repair costs can escalate.

“Drying off a 2,000-square-foot house in normal conditions may cost more than $2,500, while in situations like Harvey is producing, the job scope expands quickly—and so will costs,” says Peter Duncanson, director of operations and safety with ServiceMaster Restore. Flood insurance may cover the cost of repairs, but it depends on what type of insurance the owner has. Standard homeowner’s insurance policies don’t typically cover flooding inside a home, and many in Houston don’t have flood insurance.”

Labor Day Weekend Closure

The “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center will be closed on Monday, Sep 4, in observance of Labor Day.

Wildlife Drive and Tarpon Bay Explorers will remain open during usual operating hours.

Refuge and DDWS offices will also be closed on Monday.

Restaurant Vacation Closings 2017

Many have asked about what restaurants will be closed and when. Here is the summary posted on the Sanibel-Captiva Chamber of Commerce website:

Restaurant Vacation Closings 2017*

Restaurant Closing Reopen

Bleu Rendez‐Vous French Bistro Sun, 8/27 Thu, 10/5

Blue Coyote Supper Club Sun, 9/3 Tue, 10/3

Blue Giraffe Island Dining Mon, 9/11 Sat, 9/16

Cheeburger Cheeburger Mon, 8/28 Fri, 9/1

Cip’s Place Closed 9/4, then, 9/ 5‐10/1: No Lunch

Dairy Queen Mon, 9/11 Fri, 9/15

East End Deli Summer Hours 10 am‐2 pm

Gramma Dot’s Tues, 9/5 Thur, 9/28

Island Pizza Company Wed, 9/6 **Wed, 9/27 estimated**

Joey’s Custard Sun, 9/10 Mon,10/2

Lighthouse Café (Sanibel) Tues, 9/5 Sun, 9/10

Over Easy Café Mon, 9/11 Fri, 9/22

Rosie’s Café & Grill Mon, 9/25 Fri, 10/6

Sanibel Sweet Shoppe Closed Sat, Sun, Mon starting Sept

Schnapper Hots Mon, 8/21 Thurs 11/16 closing at 4 pm

Sweet Melissa’s Sun, 9/10 Tues, 10/3

The Clam Shack Mon, 9/11 Mon, 9/18

The Sandbar Mon, 8/22 Thur, 9/29

Traders Sat, 9/2 Tues, 10/3

Traditions on the Beach Closed 9/4

* Subject to change

30% of Luxury Deals Are ‘Suspicious’

Interesting article posted Wed at Realtor®Mag online this week, sourced to CNBC (Aug 24, 2017):

“A new watchdog program designed to monitor real estate deals involving shell companies has found that the buyers in 30% of high-end deals were linked to “suspicious activity,” the Treasury Department reported this week. Federal officials are now expanding the program, which aims to prevent money laundering by overseas buyers who use shell companies to mask their identities.

“The program, called the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, focuses on major markets that attract a high volume of international buying activity, including New York, Miami, and Los Angeles. Officials this week added Honolulu to the list. The program is monitoring wire transfers of funds as well as cash deals.

““This could have a chilling effect,” Redfin chief economist Nela Richardson told CNBC. “That very high end of the market is the most vulnerable to these issues. If a lot of foreign buyers were parking their money in high-end real estate and that much of it is tainted, this rule will have an impact.”

“Under FinCEN, title insurance companies must determine the identities of shell company owners who are making cash real estate purchases at certain price points—usually more than $1 million. The Treasury Department then determines whether those shell companies have been flagged on lists of suspicious activity. FinCEN focuses on transactions worth more than $3 million in New York, $2 million in California and Hawaii, and $1 million in Florida, among other price points and locations.

““Through this advisory and other outreach to the private sector, FinCEN, [the real estate] industry, and law enforcement will be better positioned to protect the real estate markets from serving as a vehicle to launder illicit proceeds,” FinCEN acting director Jamal El-Hindi told CNBC.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 25-September 1, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Siesta #303 2/2 $529K, Pointe Santo #C42 2/2 $949K.

1 price change: Captains Walk #A8 2/2 now $358K.

4 new sales: Tarpon Beach #103 2/2 listed at $749K, Sundial East #O405 2/2 listed at $1.0995M, Sanddollar #A303 3/2 listed at $1.349M, Royale Tern #103 3/3.5 listed at $1.675M.

2 closed sales: Loggerhead Cay #371 2/2 $497K, Gulf Beach #102 2/2 $790K (our listing).

Path from Gulf Beach

HOMES

4 new listings: 2539 Coconut Dr 2/2 $678K, 8995 Mockingbird Dr 3/3.5 $895K, 1396 Tahiti Dr 4/3 $898K, 2462 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $1.799M.

4 price changes: 5305 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $579K; 673 East Rocks 3/2 now $709,888; 2939 Wulfert Rd 5/5/2 now $1.495M; 1206 Bay Dr 4/4.5 now $3.674M.

6 new sales: 1550 Bunting Ln 2/2.5 listed at $644K, 1295 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $675K, 474 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $689K, 732 Windlass Way 4/3.5 listed at $1.195M, 984 Oyster Ct 3/3.5 listed at $1.65M, 2379 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 listed at $1.695M.

3 closed sales: 9113 Mockingbird Dr 3/3.5 $500K, 1237 Isabel Dr 5/6.5 $1.857M, 390 Old Trail Rd 4/4.5 $2M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1800 Woodring Rd $2.825M.

2 price changes: 1912 Ibis Ln now $250K, 3013 Poinciana Cir now $259.9K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 2441 & 2453 Los Colony Rd $150K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Tennis Villas #3117 1/1.5 $265K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16525 Captiva Dr 3/3 $1.995M.

No price changes or new sales.

3 closed sales: 43 Oster Ct 2/2.5 $812.5K, 16979 Captiva Dr 7/6.5 $3.2M, 1119 Schefflera Ct 4/3.5 $4.3M.

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.)

LaborDaySign If you have any island real estate needs, SanibelSusan is working right through the holiday weekend.

Laboring on Labor Day is not really work, if it’s doing what you love!

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

It’s Another Happy Friday at SanibelSusan Realty

Posted on June 2, 2017 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan here, with the first report in a long time of a cloudy Friday. Following a picture-perfect holiday weekend when the causeway and beaches were busy with families and vacationers, it has been a nice, though quiet week.

At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Not as busy as we’d like it though at SanibelSusan Realty. Good weather often keeps phones from ringing, but our listings did get a few showings. teammate Dave accompanied a couple of home inspections, and I showed homes most of Wednesday, while yesterday following our Association of Realtors® meeting, Dave and Elise covered our Caravan Open House, I chaired a meeting at the Association office, we had a good closing, and then Dave was out showing condos too, including our new listing. This afternoon, Dave’s back to holding another Open House, while Elise’s weekly report of the action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service since last Friday follows a few news items below. You’ll probably notice, there was no real estate action on Captiva. That’s unusual.

We had a surprise visit this morning from a family here on vacation. They bought their home through us five years ago and it is always such a treat when we get an update from them. Dad Scott is a terrific photographer and follows my blog. It was great to get his reminder that I may always share the pictures he posts on-line. Their bay-front home has probably one of the most active osprey nests on the island and he said that the last of the three fledglings in the nest this year was hesitant to make its first flight. As a result, he got some terrific close-up shots before it finally used its wings. Thanks for sharing, Scott!

At the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

SanCapAssnLogo Though attendance was light at our Association of Realtors® meeting yesterday, our new CEO was given a rousing applause. Bill Robinson who joined our Association in 2012 and been promoted to MLS Director and Chief Operating Officer, was announced as our new Chief Executive Officer, replacing Peggy Hummel who will retire at the end of August.

A handful of new sales were announced. I got a thank you for bringing the buyer for Anchor Pointe #C and I gave a thank you to the Realtor® bringing the buyer to Lighthouse Point #129. Just seven properties were on the Caravan that followed, including our new listing at The Sanctuary, Ibis #B102. (Photos of Ibis #B102 below.)

CEO’s Bill and Peggy both later participated in our Communications & Public Relations Committee meeting. Big props to Bill for getting my press release in the “Santiva-Chronicle” within hours of submission. Check out our June 1 progress report on this year’s “Association of Realtors® Working Together to Make A Difference” campaign at http://santivachronicle.com/Content/Business-News/Business/Article/Realtors-Members-Made-a-Difference-in-May/13/32/6604

Here Comes The Rainy Season

Sanibelcityseal logo The rainy season finally is here, with occasional showers expected for a least the next seven days. Though we need the water, it’s always a bit of downer when clear bay and gulf waters get stirred up by storms. We also are always hoping that we don’t get too much rain or water quality can be affected.

To illustrate, Jim Szabo with SanCap Aerial Photography has been taking aerials of the island for many months. On Memorial Day, his Facebook posting next to a stunning post-card like photo, said “Our water around Sanibel is amazingly beautiful. I take weekly 360° interactive panoramic images exclusively for the City of Sanibel.” Then he described that the one posted was taken around 12:30 p.m. at 350 feet above the lighthouse using his airborne camera system.

His message further says, “The City of Sanibel does this to show the current conditions, good or bad, for almost the last year. Toward the end of June, we will be able to compare current conditions to a year ago. Big thanks to the City of Sanibel for doing this.”

His images can be seen at http://www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources/Protecting-Our-Water-Quality/Sanibel-H2O-Matters. Scroll down when you get to that page and you will see links to weekly panoramic aerials taken at Lighthouse Beach Park going back to June 28, 2016. (Check out the difference between early and late June last year, it’s amazing.) There also are some taken from Gulfside City Park, Blind Pass, Clam Bayou, and the Causeway.

20 Questions To Ask When Buying a Condo

Buying or selling, it’s good to be aware of these questions and how they apply to a property.This provided courtesy of FloridaRealtors®.

20 QUESTIONS WHEN BUYING A CONDO.jpg

Sanibel School Tops District on State Test

Many of us wish we’d found Sanibel when our families were young. The Sanibel School is one of the reasons why.

As reported in this week’s “Islander”, “The Sanibel School was one of two schools in the district that had 97% of its third-grade students score a three or higher on the Florida Standards Assessment (FSA) English Language Arts test.” This is an increase from last year’s 94%. The state percentage was 58%, compared to 54% last year. This is the third year that students in the county have taken the FSA. Although the Sanibel School tied with Pine Island Elementary School, their overall score was highest at 325, compared to their 318.

Congratulations to The Sanibel School for focusing on lots of reading. The school has offered a reading roundup for kids who were struggling, by offering more reading time during the school day. F.I.S.H. also sponsored after school tutoring to any student needing extra help.

The local district ranked third out of 10 mega districts in the State of Florida based on this last English Language Arts test.

Shell Mueum to Hold Bunche Beach Clean-Up

bailey-mathews shell museum sign The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum will celebrate World Oceans Day on Wed, June 8 from 7 to 9 a.m. when museum staff and their Shell Ambassadors will hold a clean-up at Bunche Beach (at 18201 John Morris Rd). The public is invited to participate.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. uses 380 billion plastic bags per year and only 3% of that is recycled. This is the first time that the Museum has participated in World Oceans Day, but not the first time they have held a clean-up at Bunche Beach. It was selected instead of Sanibel because it seems to be more of a hotspot for trash and debris. If you can help with the clean-up, please register with Stefanie at SWolf@shellmuseum.org. Their tips for cutting down on plastic:

Use a reusable bag.
Use a reusable water bottle.
Say no to straws.
Bring your own containers for take-out/leftover food.
Stop chewing gum (it contains a molecule that is used in making plastic).
Shop local farmer’s markets.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 26-June 2, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanddollar #B301 2/2 $1.149M, Sanddollar #A303 3/2 $1.349M.

4 price changes: Loggerhead Cay #371 2/2 now $529K, Lighthouse Point #211 2/2 now $629K, Pine Cove #102 3/2 now $1.315M, High Tide #A102 3/2.5 now $1.495M.

No new sales.

5 closed sales: Sundial West #D403 1/1 $420K, Sunset South #10C 2/2 $725K, Beachcomber #A102 2/2 $1.25M (our listing), Tamarind #A102 2/2 $1.495M, Somerset #E202 3/2.5 $1.54M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 9409 Moonlight Dr 3/2.5 $599K, 9459 Begonia Ct 3/4 $649K, 5280 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/3 $729K.

5 price changes: 3008 Singing Wind Dr 2/2 now $449K; 1817 Atlanta Plaza Dr 3/2 now $449.9K; 1710 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 now $679K; 673 East Rocks Dr 3/2 now $768,885; 601 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 now $685K.

4 new sales: 986 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex listed at $529K, 746 Cardium St 4/2 duplex listed at $729K, 1809 Bowmans Beach Rd 3/2 listed at $799.9K, 1475 Angel Dr 3/4.5 listed at $1.649M.

5 closed sales: 770 Donax St 2/2 $422.5K; 1747 Serenity Ln 3/2 $490,723; 1210 Par View Dr 4/2 $680K; 1028 Demere Ln 3/2 $892.5K; 2451 Blind Pass Ct 4/4.5 $1.81M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 2998 Singing Wind Dr now $189K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 5121 Sanibel-Captiva Rd $180K.

Captiva

No activity to report.

Until next Friday,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Good Friday 2017 on Sunny Sanibel Island

Posted on April 14, 2017 by SanibelSusan

It’s Susan and The SanibelSusan Team reporting a fun week on the island with continuing reports of “where is the Vice President now” and beaches, bike paths, and roadways often busy with vacationing visitors and families.

Sanibel Captiva Association of Realtors®

The local Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday was well attended. Not many sales were announced, but a few more price reductions, and new listings. With high season wrapping up, more sales closed this week, so below is another update based on today’s Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service data. A report on the activity posted this week follows a few news items.

Sanibel Year-to-Date (1/1-4/14/17):

Condos – 41 sold/closed, 23 under contract, 108 for sale (average days-on-market = 209)

Homes – 64 sold/closed, 48 under contract, 186 for sale (average days-on-market = 180)

Lots – 12 sold/closed, 8 under contract, 64 for sale (average days-on-market = 390)

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

SanibelSusan Realty from Periwinkle Way With the island busy, I put a condo under contract, accompanied a showing, was out showing homes two days, and have fielded many requests for listing info. Also, spent time negotiating a couple of offers – no official news yet to report – just that things are in the works.

Teammate Dave held Open Houses for three days at vacant condos. Attendance was sporadic, probably related to the wonderful weather here all week.

Where is Vice President Pence?

Spottings of Vice President Pence and his family vacationing this week were frequent and sometimes humorous. Our travel wasn’t affected much by their visit and we hope they had a terrific vacation. Here is SanibelSusan’s version of the week’s events.

Saturday, when I left the island late afternoon to do a little shopping just off island, I noticed multiple sheriff vehicles at every intersection from Harbour Cottages to Kelly Greens. All were quietly waiting, except the unmarked vehicle with lights flashing at the McGregor Blvd/Summerlin Rd intersection. I also saw a few spectators in lawn chairs near the entrance to Mariner Pointe, so it appeared the Vice President was arriving soon.

He arrived by motorcade – about 20 vehicles – just after 5 p.m. The quiet motorcade turned up Dixie Beach Blvd which had the island abuzz about “where is he staying?”. Turns out, we later heard that he has been vacationing here for many years. This trip he stayed in a bayside home on San Carlos Bay Dr. Those living in the neighborhood confirmed Secret Service sightings and some of their boats and vehicles being searched – all very quietly and professionally.

Sunday, he and his wife attended the 8 a.m. service at Sanibel Community Church. Another parishioner who usually also attends that early service, said they must have known they were coming, as the choir performed and usually they are at the later services. Later Sunday, the Vice President and Mrs. Pence were spotted walking on the beach. That night, there were more sightings when they dined at The Timbers. You-know-who got his picture taken with him and word is that the photo was framed and on the wall that evening. A client, there at the same time, dining with family said the Secret Service agents were very nice.

Monday, Vice President Pence left the island early for a quick trip to DC for the swearing in of Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court. When I came back on island early Monday evening after another quick run overseas, I passed a large group of 15-20 Lee County sheriff motorcycles and cars leaving the island. I found out later that they had just been part of the VP’s escort back on island.

Tuesday dinner, photos were posted of them at Matzaluna Restaurant. (I wonder if Matt got another photo?)

Wednesday, while teammate Dave was holding an Open House at Lighthouse Point, he reported in that he spotted a group of what looked like Secret Service vehicles and bikers. Also on Wednesday, the Vice President was spotted walking on the beach and had his picture taken with a fisherman who had just spent 10₊hours reeling in what he thought was a small shark, but turned out to be a rare huge saw-tooth fish, which was tagged and released. The below photos were taken by Dr. Paul & Lynn Collins. They didn’t get the Vice President, but they sure got some good shots of the action during the catch.

Sawtooth fish 04-13-17 sawtooth 04-13-17

Thursday, the motorcade was on the move again with reports of Mrs. Pence getting a manicure at Sanibel Beauty Salon and the Vice President getting a haircut. They were photographed later at dinner at The Mucky Duck. Rumor has it that the VP played golf and did a little fishing while here too.

They were to leave the island today and as Dave headed to the office this morning, he saw a group of bikers, then marked cars and sheriff vehicles at the intersections of Donax and Dixie Beach. The “Santiva Chronicle” just posted that they left the island just after 3 p.m. Good that it was today, as tomorrow, the day before Easter, is traditionally the busiest day of the year on the island.

With more families and visitors arriving tomorrow and children’s Easter events from Sanibel City Park to the Sanibel Community Church and then Island Inn, traffic may be challenging. A good day to watch the Sanibel traffic cameras at http://www.mysanibel.us/traffic/ or go to the App Store and get the free app.

Good News About Florida Senate Bill 10

It was great to hear on Wednesday that the Florida Senate took action to protect Florida’s unique waterways by passing SB 10. This legislation will accelerate the process of building a reservoir south of Lake Okeechobee. Scientists have determined that increased storage, treatment and conveyance of water south of Lake O are essential to stop the damaging discharges to the coastal estuaries.

The passage of this bill is a huge step, but the fight is far from over. Next stop is the Florida House of Representatives. If you want to stay attuned to what is happening in Tallahassee follow the news at www.NowOrNeverglades.com or at the 2017 Legislative Session Tracker at www.sccf.org

Happy Easter

Since I posted details of the holiday happenings in last week’s blog, I won’t include them again, but send best wishes to you from all of us on The SanibelSusan Team for a great weekend.

More summer-like weather is expected here (mid-80’s in temperatures), with sparkling Gulf water too.

sanibel beach

Here is another photo taken this week by the Collins, this time at “Ding” Darling. The brilliant pink makes me think of spring and Easter! Thanks again for sharing, Paul and Lynn!

Paul collins roseate 04-13-14

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 7-14, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Seashells #6 2/2 $395K, Pointe Santo #B26 2/2 $759.9K.

8 price changes: Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 now $339,555; Seashells #3 2/2 now $399.4K; Blind Pass #F106 2/2 now $409K; Donax Village #3 2/2 now $448K; Lighthouse Point #217 3/2 now $510K; Sunset South #2A 2/2 now $699K; Sanctuary Golf Villages I #5 2/2.5 now $699K; Royale Tern #103 3/3.5 now $1.75M.

3 new sales: Ibis at The Sanctuary #B302 2/2 listed at $498.5K (our buyer), Sanctuary Golf Villages I #6 3/3 listed at $939K, Tamarind #A102 2/2 listed at $1.595M.

6 closed sales: Sundial West #C406 1/1 $416K, Villa Sanibel #3D 2/2 $599K, Heron at The Sanctuary #1B 3/2.5 $610K, Compass Point #222 2/2 $650K, Bayview Village #1A 3/3 $782.8K, Sanddollar #B204 2/2 $859K.

HOMES

8 new listings: 9292 Kincaid Ct 3/2 $549K, 241 Violet Dr 3/2.5 $775K, Moonshadows #F2 3/3 $919K, 655 Anchor Dr 3/3 $950K, 5402 Osprey Ct 4/3 $1.095M, 1340 Eagle Run Dr 3/3 $1.1M, 3832 Coquina Dr 3/4 $1.299M, 1137 Golden Olive Ct 5/3.5 $1.9M.

11 price changes: 1747 Serenity Ln 3/2 now $494K, 5305 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $579K, 5105 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/3 now $624.9K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 3/3 now $664.9K, 998 Fish Crow Rd 3/2 now $679K, 1183 Kittiwake Cir 3/2 now $849K, 698 Spartina Ct 3/2 now $849.9K, 2628 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 now $1.839M, 1238 Isabel Dr 5/3/2 now $3.399M, 3547 West Gulf Dr 4/4 now $4.495M.

7 new sales: 1862 Farm Trl 3/2 listed at $675K, 3152 Twin Lakes Ln 3/3 listed at $697K, 5126 Joewood Dr 3/2 listed at $735K, 408 Bella Vista Way 4/4 listed at $1.595M, 1757 Venus Dr 4/2.5 listed at $1.899M, 4117 West Gulf Dr 5/6 listed at $5.799M, 3577 West Gulf Dr 4/4/2 listed at $7.595M.

5 closed sales: 1073 Fish Crow Rd 3/2.5 $685K, 743 Elinor Way 3/2 $685K, 2459 Harbour Ln 3/3.5 $777K, 935 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $969K, 6129 Starling Way 3/2.5 $1.225M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 2307 Wulfert Rd $259K.

3 price changes: 540 East Lake Rd now $179K, 6519 Pine Ave now $829K, 6505 Pine Ave now $829K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 1329 Par View Dr $307.5K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2422 1/1 listed at $519K.

1 closed sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2333 3/2 $755K.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 11539 Wightman Ln 2/2 $1.4995M.

LOTS

Nothing to report

Happy Easter! from Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan)

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Sunny Sanibel

Posted on March 17, 2017 by SanibelSusan

This week, while northern states dealt with snowy Storm Stella, Sanibel and Captiva had a little brush of winter weather too – island style. After a couple of short, though much-needed, showers, yesterday and Wednesday were chilly, with daytime temperatures not getting out of the 60’s. Today, temperatures are inching toward the low to mid-70’s, with more of the same nice weather expected over the weekend and into next week.

Below is a photo taken this afternoon from the beach in front of Sanbel’s West Wind Inn where it is just another beautiful though breezy beach day. Below it are a few news items, followed by the action posted this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

West Wind Beach 03-17-17

March Membership Meeting – Sanibel/Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Yesterday, the March membership meeting of the local Association of Realtors® was well attended. In addition to general announcements, including 20-some price changes, several island Realtors® were recognized at the state level for achieving Florida Realtors® Honor Society status. It was nice to have some new recipients this year. Year #18 for me, dating back to 1998 when I was appointed to my first state committee. Lots of great networking and business opportunities have come from that involvement. VIP’s Jim Hall, who was my broker then, encouraged that work and has made Florida Realtors® Honor Society for more than 20 years. Congratulations to all recipients.

Community Outreach

Also, a big thank you to my local Association Communication & Public Relations Committee members who met early Tuesday morning for our 3^rd meeting of the year. Volunteering time “in season” always is appreciated. It is easy to be a committee chair when you have willing cooperative colleagues. Between now and April 28, the committee is spearheading a gently-used clothing drive. Items collected will be donated to charities that provide the clothing FREE to those in need of a hand-up. All types of clean Florida-type clothing are needed – womens, mens, and childrens.

If you have items to donate, they are being accepted at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® office at 2353 Periwinkle Way, Suite 201 from Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. (That is the shopping center behind Wings, 2^nd floor over Finnimore’s Cycle Shop.) My team will pick up donations or you can drop them off at SanibelSusan Realty too – but no later than April 28 – in time for spring cleaning.

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Happenings

If you are here this weekend and looking for something to do, here are a few suggestions:

Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club Arts & Crafts Fair – today and tomorrow (Sat 3/18) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at The Community House, right across the street from our office.

Doc Ford’s St. Paddy’s Day Bash – tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. at their new location on Island Inn Rd.

Sanibel Island Farmers’ Market – Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on City Hall Grounds.

Outdoor Island Jazz Concert – from 3 to 4:30 p.m. in Boler Garden at BIG ARTS, free but BYOC (Bring Your Own Chair)

Check the “events” link above for more events.

Dredging Blind Pass While Renourishing Sanibel’s Beaches

santiva chronicle The below article posted on-line Wednesday by the “Santiva-Chronicle” provides an update of the ongoing dredging of Blind Pass. On my way to show property on Tuesday, I took photos of the wave action at nearby Turner Beach which illustrate their remarks. Here’s one:

Turner Beach 03-14-17.jpg

Here’s the “Santiva-Chronicle” report:

“Recent heavy winds delayed the current phase of dredging Blind Pass by about a week and will likely delay completion of the project until mid-May, according to Kathy Rooker, administrator of the Captiva Erosion Prevention District. But, as anyone who has driven over the Blind Pass Bridge separating Captiva and Sanibel can’t help but notice, the project to clear the pass and use its sand to renourish Sanibel beaches is well under way.

“Nearly 3,500 feet of massive black piping stretches from a pump on a barge at the Roosevelt Channel entrance to a Blind Pass east of the bridge to a second huge pump located past the Gulf entrance to the Pass near Pine Avenue. That second giant pump pushes the sand about 500 feet south to Sanibel beaches in need of renourishment.

“Decades ago, when the current bridge was built connecting the two islands, the natural path of Blind Pass was considerably altered. Consequently, the pass periodically fills up with sand. Keeping the pass open and flushed is vital to water quality around both islands.

“In 2009, about 148,000 cubic yards of sand was dredged to reopen the pass, which had completely closed.

That dredging was followed by maintenance projects at the pass removing 63,300 cubic yards of sand in 2012 and 37,600 cubic yards of sand in 2013. Blind Pass almost completely closed in the spring of 2015, but storms cleared much of that sand.

“Prior to this current dredging project, designed to remove 120,000 cubic yards of sand, bathers and anglers could virtually walk across Blind Pass in spots. It also was largely blocked to boaters.

“Although portions of the beach will be closed for up to 500 feet near where active dredging equipment is being used and four parking places at Blind Pass Beach Park have been closed, the piping and heavy equipment have not greatly curbed use of the beach by bathers, shellers or anglers. Fishing from the bridge may intermittently be restricted during the project, and traffic is briefly halted when heavy equipment is being moved to and from a Santiva area beach near Pine Avenue. Beachgoers are urged to respect project signs and boundaries for their own safety and the safety of the crews.

“A major beneficiary of the dredging process is Sanibel, whose eroded Gulf beaches from Blind Pass to the northern edge of Bowman’s Beach are receiving sand removed from the pass.

“Half of the $1 million project is being funded by a grant obtained by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, with the remainder coming from Lee County tourist-tax revenues.

“Lee County, Sanibel and Captiva officials are looking for a more lasting solution to keep the pass open and have commissioned a Blind Pass Inlet Management Study – a science-based study of the mechanics of the Pass.

“At a recent Captiva Community Panel, Rooker urged residents to attend a public meeting at 10 a.m. March 24 in the Pelican Room of the Sanibel Recreation Center, 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, for an update of the Inlet Management Study by engineers who have completed their data collection of model calibration phases of the Pass. “You will hear about different alternatives for keeping the Pass open,” she said, “and the public’s input will be important.” More information about the study can be found at: http://www.leegov.com/naturalresources/blind-pass-2016-inlet-management-plan-study”

Irrigation Regulations

A good reminder in the Spring 2017 “IWA Pipeline” about the irrigation regulations that have been in effect since March 2010. Are you watering only on your days to water?

“The South Florida Water Management District manages water resources and sets the irrigation regulations for the 16-county region that stretches from Orlando to the Florida Keys. Homeowners on Sanibel are limited to watering three times per week and Captiva residents are limited to watering two times per week.

“Residents and businesses on Sanibel with an odd number address may water lawns and landscaping on Mondays, Wednesdays, and/or Saturdays between midnight and 10 a.m. and/or between 4 p.m. and midnight. Residents and businesses with an even address, no address, or those who water both even and odd addresses within the same zones may water Tuesdays, Thursdays, and/or Sundays between midnight and 10 a.m. and/or between 4 p.m. and midnight.

“Captiva residents and businesses are bound by the regulations for unincorporated Lee County and are restricted to watering two days per week. Residents and businesses with an odd address may water lawns and landscaping on Wednesdays and/or Saturdays between midnight and 9 a.m. and/or between 5 p.m. and midnight. Residents and businesses with an even address, no address, or those who water both even and odd addresses within the same zones may water on Thursdays and/or Sundays between midnight and 9 a.m. and/or between 5 p.m. and midnight.

‘There are some exceptions to the above regulations. Watering may be done at any time of using reclaimed water and hand watering is permitted any time if using a hose with an automatic shut-off nozzle. Additional watering up to 60 days is permitted for watering new landscaping.

“For additional information on irrigation times and water conservation you can visit the South Florida Water Management District website at https://www.sfwmd.gov. These irrigation times are also posted on our website at http://www.islandwater.com.

“One more note regarding irrigation. All new irrigation systems are required to have a rain sensor installed, which shuts off the sprinklers if rain is detected. If you have an older system that does not have a rain sensor, it would be wise to have one installed. Not only would you be conserving a precious resource by not sprinkling an already wet yard, you will also save money on your monthly water bill. Remember, in our tiered rate schedule, the more water you use per month, the higher the charge per thousand gallons of water.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 10-17, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Mariner Pointe #122 1/1 $410K.

6 price changes: Sundial West #C406 1/1 now $424.9K, Mariner Pointe #712 2/2.5 now $469K, Donax Village #1 2/2 now $515K, Snug Harbor #312 3/2 now $699.9K, Pointe Santo #B6 2/2 now $720K, Sanibel Surfside #225 2/2 now $774.9K.

4 new sales: Lake Palms #8 2/2.5 listed at $345.5K, Coquina Beach #5A 2/2 listed at $380K, Loggerhead Cay #592 2/2 listed at $635K, Wedgewood #202 3/3.5 listed at $2.475M.

1 closed sale: Sanibel Arms #B1 1/1 $345K.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1918 Ibis Ln 3/3 $642K, 1315 Par View Dr 3/2 $789.5K, 1425 Causey Ct 3/3 $799K, 1028 Demere Ln $899K, 2379 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 $1.695M, 1757 Venus Dr 4/2.5 $1.899M.

14 price changes: 1429 Jamaica Dr 3/3 now $694.9K, 1807 Buckthorn Ln 3/2.5 now $699K, 1295 Par View Dr 3/2 now $699K, 3364 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $724K, 6081 Henderson Rd 3/2 now $799.9K, 698 Spartina Ct 3/2 now $865K, 1114 Captains Walk St 3/3 now $975K, 1525 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 now $1.895M, 267 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2 now $1.995M, 1237 Isabel Dr 5/6.5 now $2.18M, 1552 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/5.5 now $2.5M, 4995 Joewood Dr 4/3 now $2.795M, 1206 Bay Dr 4/4.5 now $3.845M, 3547 West Gulf Dr 4/4 now $4.75M.

6 new sales: 4694 Rue Bayou 3/3 listed at $629K, 5305 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 listed at $695K, 1182 Kittiwake Cir 3/3 listed at $729K, 3918 Coquina Dr 3/2.5 listed at $899K, 2459 Harbour Ln 3/3.5 listed at $899K, 1326 Seaspray Ln 4/4.5 listed at $1.995M.

7 closed sales: 174 Southwinds Dr 2/2 half-duplex $639,025; 2010 Sunrise Cir 5/3 $775K (our listing); 5757 Pine Tree Dr 3/2.5 $799K; 660 Durion Ct 3/2 $862.5K; 2118 Starfish Ln 4/5 $1.675M; 4449 Waters Edge Ln 3/3 $4M; 3557 West Gulf Dr 3/3.5 $4.1M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 1912 Ibis Ln $225K, 3013 Poinciana Cir $269.9K.

1 price change: 1299 Par View Dr now $249K.

2 new sales: 0 Island Inn Rd listed at $189,555; 6411 Pine Ave listed at $363.5K.

3 closed sales: 2502/2504 Wulfert Rd $207.5K, 5830 Sanibel-Captiva Rd $350K, 602 Boulder Dr $425K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3127 1/1 $260K.

1 price change: Beach Homes #29 4/4 now $2.3M.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5204 1/2 listed at $315K.

1 closed sale: Tennis Villas #3237 2/2 $415K.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 11521 Andy Rosse Ln 7/7/5 now $2.899M, 16464 Captiva Dr 8/8.5 now $6.245M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 16455 Captiva Dr 4/4.5 $2.25M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Happy-St_-Patricks-Day-Poems-with-Images-Pictures-Graphics-2

Another Picture-Perfect Friday on Sunny Sanibel

Posted on January 20, 2017 by SanibelSusan

beach-a

It is Susan and The SanibelSusan Team reporting that it was back to sunny days on-island this week. An absolutely picture-perfect one today, with temperatures in the mid-70’s. A little more Florida-winter type weather is expected on Sunday when a breezy cool front arrives with a few showers. Luckily those fronts don’t last long here and it again is expected to be sunny and back to the mid-70s by mid-week.

Island Real Estate Action

We still are not seeing lots of real estate activity which traditionally picks up each year sometime from mid-to-late January. Could be that the Saturday visitor turn-over this weekend will bring more action. The rental organizations tell us that will be the 1^st week of the year with high-season occupancy. Even more check-ins are expected the following weekend as it gets closer to the 1^st of the month.

You will notice from the report below of the activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service that homes continue to be the predominate seller. Many price changes were posted this week too, with sellers recognizing that just 2+months of “high season” remain.

Over the last seven days on Sanibel, there were just two condo sales and two lot sales, but 12 home sales. One our new listing in Seagull Estates. During the same period, there were 17 price changes. That is a lot for a week mid-January.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

At the Thursday Realtor® Caravan meeting yesterday, I gave a quick spiel about our 2017 Communications & Public Relations Committee kick-off meeting.

We discussed reaching out to local non-profits & becoming a year-‘round collection point for donated goods: things like non-perishable food items for the FISH pantry, old cell phones and hotel-sized toiletries for ACT, gently-used clothing for church charities in Immokalee; bedding for Bedz for Kidz which is part of Lee County’s Guardian ad Litem Foundation.

The committee is looking for more ways to be involved in the community in a cooperative way so are soliciting suggestions from local organizations and non-profits for what donation items they need and if here is a particular time of the year when most needed. Also, if there are small hands-on projects that could use a team of 5-10 volunteers to get them done.

With this year’s message “Together, We Make a Difference”, you will see monthly press releases about our members’ community involvement. Those members include not just Realtors® and their office staff, but also our affiliate members, including the bankers, inspectors, builders, decorators, contractors, title companies, attorneys, and other service business partners, who also are an important part of our organization.

Looking Back on Hurricane Season

Interesting tidbit noticed when I was catching up on my reading last weekend. The Winter 2016 issue of the “IWA Pipeline” (Island Water Association’s newsletter) said:

“Believe it or not, once more, the National Weather Service reports it has been over eleven years since a major hurricane has made landfall on the continental United States. Hermine was a Category 1 hurricane, and although Matthew was a Category 3 storm as it approached the Florida coast, technically it never made landfall, as the eye stayed just off the coast.”

Prospective buyers often ask about flooding and storms. What can we tell them? I often remind them that the island is mostly sand, so that water even after a heavy rain usually disperses quickly. We also can tell them about how the Sanibel River has a lock system and how water can be released, but that it’s rarely necessary. We also can say that weathermen tell us that we are in an area where there is probability of a hurricane every 100 years. Then the question is – do we start counting the 100 years from Hurricane Charley in 2004 or from the last time the island flooded from a hurricane – in the 1920’s? Either way, it’s just part of island life. From May to November, residents should have a hurricane plan and listen carefully to weather reports.

Sanibel Signs Water Quality Compact

santiva chronicle The following was posted yesterday on-line at the “Santiva-Chronicle”.

“Much of Sanibel’s definitive white paper, Caloosahatchee Watershed Regional Water Management Issues, was adopted in the water quality compact of 164 communities and 19 counties.

“Sanibel was instrumental in the drafting of a new water quality compact that is the largest compact in Florida history, and on Tuesday, January 17, the City Council put its name to it.The City Council voted unanimously for a resolution pledging the city’s support in the Lake Okeechobee Regional Compact.

“The compact calls for cooperation among the 164 towns and cities and 19 counties in the Northern Everglades and Lake Okeechobee watershed. It calls for all to work together toward a comprehensive plan addressing environmental and economic challenges associated with discharges from Lake Okeechobee and to develop a joint strategic plan to successfully meet those challenges.

“Mayor Kevin Ruane and Sanibel Director of Natural Resources James Evans were instrumental in the drafting of the resolution through the Florida League of Cities. Evans is the author of Sanibel’s definitive white paper on water quality, Caloosahatchee Regional Water Management Issues. Ruane chaired the session where the resolution was adopted.

““It’s the largest compact the state of Florida has ever done,” Ruane said. “It’s a compact for all 164 cities and we are pleased that the resolution was adopted with the majority of the white paper in it.”

“The resolution calls for each local government to collaborate while also recognizing the individual needs of a diverse consortium of towns, cities and counties. It calls for a joint policy position to urge the U.S. Congress and the Florida Legislature to develop and fund the necessary plans to improve regional water conditions.

“The resolution states:

“The adopted Regional Action Plan shall, at a minimum, include the following components:

A list of those local and regional projects and programs all parties to this compact mutually agree are critical to Everglades restoration, protection and improvement of local water supplies and water quality, enhancement of natural area and the economic vitality of our communities.
Local Projects/Programs: Septic maintenance and septic to central sewer programs; local fertilizer ordinances and fertilizer education programs; storm water best management practices (BMP’s); agricultural BMP’s; golf course BMP’s.
Current Regional Projects: The Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan (CERP) and the projects identified on Integrated Delivery Schedule (IDS) including, but not limited to, Rehabilitation of the Herbert Hoover Dike; Central Everglades Planning Project (CEPP); C-43 West Basin Reservoir; C-44 Reservoir; Tamiami Trail Bridging Project; Lake Okeechobee Watershed Planning Project; and the Kissimmee River Restoration Project.””

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity Jan 13-20, 2017

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listings: Sunset South #2A 2/2.5 $749K.

4 price changes: Tennisplace #E33 2/1.5 now $319.5K, Blind Pass #F106 2/2 now $449K, Donax Village #3 2/2 now $478K, Loggerhead Cay #434 2/2 now $619K.

2 new sales: Loggerhead Cay #181 2/2 listed at $699K, Sunset South #4A 2/2 listed at $799K.

3 closed sales: Mariner Pointe #622 2/2.5 $600K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3 2/2.5 $625K, Sandpiper Beach #504 2/2 $765K.

HOMES

7 new listings: 3021 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 $539K, 5299 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2.5 $625K, 1807 Buckthorn Ln 3/2.5 $749K, 519 Lagoon Dr 4/2 $849K, 863 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $979K, 3944 West Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.099M, 815 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $1.199M.

13 price changes: 1714 Bunting Ln 3/2 now $499.9K; 1602 Serenity Ln 4/2 now $499,999; 1710 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 now $699.9K; 5100 Sea Bell Rd 4/2.5 now $729K; 1334 Junonia St 3/2 now $739K; 1943 Sanibel Bayou Rd 3/3 now $775K; 1683 Bunting Ln 3/3 now $779,555; 225 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 now $799K; 2920 West Gulf Dr 3/2 now $939K; 789 Pyrula Ave 4/2.5 now $1.095M; 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 now $1.199M; 518 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $1.449M; 6111 SanibelCaptiva Rd 5/4/3 now $22.095M.

12 new sales: 2401 Shop Rd 2/1 listed at $278K, 474 Lake Murex Cir 2/2 listed at $399K, 1390 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 half-duplex listed at $529K, 810 Elinor Way 3/2 listed at $599K, 174 Southwinds Dr 2/2 half-duplex listed at $659K, 1153 Sabal St 3/2.5 listed at $699K, 525 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 listed at $749K, 239 Daniel Dr 3/2 listed at $1.099M (our listing), 785 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 listed at $1.149M, 2302 Wulfert Rd 4/5 listed at $1.595M, 775 Conch Ct 4/3 listed at $1.595M, 1314 Seaspray Ln 3/3 listed at $2.7M.

239 Daniel Dr, Seagull Estates

5 closed sales: 3118 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 $550K, 3941 Coquina Dr 3/2 $650K, 2549 Harbour Ln 3/2 $726K, 910 Victoria Way 3/3 $1.2M, 5125 Joewood Dr 4/4 $2.35M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 497 Sea Oats listed at $499K, 629 Lighthouse Way listed at $1.095M.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Tennis Villas #3121 1/1/2 listed at $255K, Bayside Villas #5228 1/2 listed at $335K.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #4214 1/2 $315K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 14981 Binder Dr 3/1 $1.149M.

1 price change: 4 Sunset Captiva Ln 3/2.5 now $2.345M.

1 new sale: 11524 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 listed at $2.695M.

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 activiislty in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.)

Until next Friday, wishing you sunny days!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

beach

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Water Looking Mighty Fine

Posted on September 16, 2016 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan here with another Friday update. It is still pretty quiet on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Mostly nice weather though, with visitors enjoying that there is no traffic and loving the stunning summer sunsets and shelling, which continued to be fabulous all week.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Yesterday was the Sanibel/Captiva Association of Realtors® September Monthly Membership Meeting. Turn-out was a little better than last month, but attendance still light. Realtors® are cramming in their vacations before the snowbirds arrive.

big-arts-loto Meeting speakers included BIG ARTS Executive Director, Lee Ellen Harder, who provided an update on their upcoming offerings for the fall/winter season. Ticket sales have already begun and they have a new web site with more info (www.BIGARTS.org).

During the Caravan section of the meeting, I was happy to announce our new listing at Pointe Santo, two price reductions (at Mariner Pointe and Sunrise Circle), and our Loggerhead Cay Open House which followed the meeting. (First time that condo has been vacant on a Caravan day since the listing began.)

No new Sanibel or Captiva sales were announced. The Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity since last Friday is posted below after a couple of other news items. (There was one sale, posted this morning.)

Sanibel 2016-2017 Budget Hearing

During last Saturday’s first budget hearing, Sanibel City Council unanimously approved a tentative budget for fiscal year 2016-17 of $62,468,100. The budget was prepared using the same millage rate as the current fiscal year which is 1.9139. Florida law requires that budgets be balanced. This budget compares to the 2015-2016 adopted budget of $56,039,603 and the amended budget of $66,905,637.

The tentative budget is based on Sanibel’s taxable property value for 2017 which has been preliminarily assessed $4.76 billion, which is 5.48% higher than fiscal 2016. The budget includes $1.625 million in causeway tolls from Lee County, a number consistent with bridge traffic in 2016. The budget assumes that about $5.8 million of General Fund reserves will not be spent by the end of the fiscal year and will be rolled forward to the new budget’s beginning balance. Sanibel City continues to reduce its debt, through annual debt service payments and refinancing at favorable interest rates. City-wide debt has been reduced from $79.1 million in 2006 to $40.6 million as of 2015.

Following the budget meeting, the City Council reconvened for its regular monthly meeting…The council passed two ordinances raising fees across the board at the Recreation Center. The rate increases are modest. The daily resident individual fee goes from $5 to $6 and the daily resident family fee raises from $7 to $8. The weekly resident individual fee goes from $23 to $24 and the weekly resident family fee raises from $35 to $37.

Saturday’s budget meeting was required by law, as is the second and final budget hearing which will be at 5:01 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, at City Hall.

A Step in the Right Direction

According to yesterday’s “News-Press”:

“The U.S. Senate today approved legislation authorizing the Army Corps of Engineers to move forward on a major $1.9 billion Everglades-restoration project.

“The Central Everglades Planning Project, which was included in a broader water resources bill that the Senate approved today by a vote of 95-3, is a nearly $2 billion series of engineering projects designed to reduce the need for harmful discharges from Lake Okeechobee by sending more water south into the Everglades instead of east and west into the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee rivers.

“U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL), a long-time supporter of Everglades-restoration projects who pushed to get the project included in this year’s water bill, hailed today’s vote as a major step toward restoring the Everglades.

“This is a big win for Florida,” Nelson said. “We’ve seen firsthand the effect these toxic discharges can have on Florida’s waterways and the local communities that depend on them. Getting this project approved is a significant step forward in our ongoing efforts to restore the Everglades and provide folks some much needed relief.”

“The bill now heads to the House for consideration.”

(If you are wondering what the water here looks like now, check out these photos borrowed from Facebook’s “Beautiful Sanibel page”. The waters surround the islands have been beautiful all week.)

09-15-16-beach-pix

Coastal Cleanup Tomorrow

Tomorrow, Sept 17, SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) is hosting participation in the 30^th Annual International Coastal Cleanup. If you are here and haven’t already signed up, just go to SCCF (3333 Sanibel-Captiva Rd) between 9 a.m. and noon to get your data cards and trash bags. Lunch and snacks will be provided on the SCCF Nature Center Porch from 10 a.m. until noon, along with a dumpster to dispose of the trash. (Please bring your own water and gloves to reduce use of plastic.)

National Public Lands Day, Next Saturday

Next Saturday, Sep 24, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will celebrate with free admission to Wildlife Drive all day 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and special activities from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

10 a.m. Caravan Tour – The first 14 people gathered at the flagpole can ride in the minibus, all others will follow in cars along Wildlife Drive. The one-hour naturalist-led tour will focus on the importance of the mangrove estuary ecosystem.
11:30 a.m. Indigo Trail Walk – Join a ranger on a one-hour hike along Indigo Trail to the Wildlife Education Boardwalk, approximately 3/4 miles. Meet at the flagpole.
1 p.m. Kodiak National Wildlife Refuge Talk – Meet Ranger Kari from Kodiak, Alaska, for a 30-minute presentation about the refuge’s public uses and wildlife. Meet in the Visitor & Education Center.
2 p.m. Family Story & Craft – Meet in the Visitor & Education Center classroom for a fun, educational story and take-home conservation craft (30 minutes).

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity September 9 – 16, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Pointe Santo #C34 1/1 $599K (our listing), Pointe Santo #B23 2/2 $849K.

Take from balcony of Pointe Santo C34

4 price changes: Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 now $375,555; Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 now $595K; Loggerhead Cay #211 2/2 now $599K; Cottage Colony West #136 1/1 now $624.9K (our listing).

1 new sale: Mariner Pointe #813 2/2 listed at $449K.

2 closed sales: Ibis at The Sanctuary #302 2/2 $460K, Villa Sanibel #1B 2/2 $535K.

HOMES

3 new listings: 1212 Par View Dr 2/2 $649K, 174 Southwinds Dr 2/2 half-duplex $699K, 1552 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/5.5 $2.95M.

3 price changes: 9292 Belding Dr 3/2.5 now $399K, 598 Kinzie Island Ct 3/3.5 now $1.699M, 4190 Dingman Dr 4/3.5 now $2.375M.

No new sales.

3 closed sales: 421 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $800K, 923 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $849K, 4440 Waters Edge Ln 3/3 $1.29M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 776 Birdie View Pt $495K.

1 price change: 2626 Coconut Dr now $279K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Lands End Village #1660 3/3 $1.625M.

1 price change: Tennis Villas #3111 1/1 now $244K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 31 Urchin Ct 3/3 now $960K.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Temporary Closings

Upcoming Events

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Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 30 – September 6, 2019

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Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

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Restaurant Vacation Closings 2017

30% of Luxury Deals Are ‘Suspicious’

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 25-September 1, 2017

Enjoy your weekend!

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At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

At the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

Here Comes The Rainy Season

20 Questions To Ask When Buying a Condo

Sanibel School Tops District on State Test

Shell Mueum to Hold Bunche Beach Clean-Up

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 26-June 2, 2017

Until next Friday,

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Sanibel Captiva Association of Realtors®

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Where is Vice President Pence?

Good News About Florida Senate Bill 10

Happy Easter

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 7-14, 2017

Happy Easter! from Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan)

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March Membership Meeting – Sanibel/Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Community Outreach

St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Happenings

Dredging Blind Pass While Renourishing Sanibel’s Beaches

Irrigation Regulations

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 10-17, 2017

Happy St. Patrick’s Day from Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

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Island Real Estate Action

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Looking Back on Hurricane Season

Sanibel Signs Water Quality Compact

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity Jan 13-20, 2017

Until next Friday, wishing you sunny days!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

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Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Sanibel 2016-2017 Budget Hearing

A Step in the Right Direction

Coastal Cleanup Tomorrow

National Public Lands Day, Next Saturday

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity September 9 – 16, 2016

Until next Friday, wishing you stunning summer sunsets & clear water too!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

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*Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 20-27, 2018***

No Rate Increase for 8^th Year in a Row