Another Rainy Friday, But the Shelling is Great

Posted on January 22, 2016 by SanibelSusan

shells 01-22-16 There were not a lot of happy folks in Southwest Florida this morning as heavy rain and high winds passed through the area for the second Friday in a row, bringing less than ideal weather for the weekend. The storms are connected to the larger weather system that is expected to blanket the Northeast with snow and blizzard conditions. Thankfully, we just have to dodge a little water here.

Flights out of RSW heading to many northern cities were delayed and canceled, while downed power lines on Estero Blvd in Fort Myers Beach stopped traffic in both directions for several hours. In addition to the heavy rain today, the area is expected to experience strong offshore winds and higher tides through tomorrow with the region cooler over the weekend as temperatures will drop into the 60’s. Maybe the shelling will again be great after the storms pass.

SanibelSusan Realty Scoop

Sanibelsusan Logo Our successful semi-annual mailing to 7000+ island property owners and prospective buyers is in process. If you too would like a copy of our handy booklet summarizing all of the real estate sold on the islands so for the last few years, including what is for sale now, contact us at Susan@SanibelSusan.com or call 239-472-HOME(4663) or 888-603-0603.

Since last Friday, our new listing at Sandpiper Beach went under contract in record time, several other listings had showings, and we continue to get good walk-in traffic.

View from Sandpiper Beach #101

Few if any accommodations are available on island, though we continue to get multiple inquiries every week. I heard today that the rental organizations were swamped with phone calls because renters leaving tomorrow have had flights canceled, while some incoming tenants expect to be stranded at home and don’t know when they will arrive. Days like this make us happy that we don’t manage any rentals. Though we want to help and will offer recommendations whenever we can. It is listing and selling real estate that is our forte.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors

Yesterday was the Association’s West-End Caravan with just a handful of Captiva properties open for viewing. A few new listings and sales were announced, though not as many as post holidays.

The activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below.

Sanibel’s Well-Timed Traffic Attack Getting a Buzz

Sanibelcityseal logo A report in the “Santiva-Chronicle” earlier in the week had a nice summation of recent island traffic news:

“The City of Sanibel chose Monday to launch its traffic publicity campaign. It’s part of the traffic battle plan. Like a good battle plan it was timed and it attacked on several fronts.

“On Monday morning, Martin Luther King Day in the middle of January, the City simultaneously released a new video and flyer that warn the daytrippers of the folly of taking an in-season afternoon drive across the causeway to Sanibel and Captiva. Mayor Kevin Ruane does the video and he signed the flyer. All of it is now available front and center at mysanibel.com. A few hours later on Monday the mayor distributed an opinion piece to the area press that says the same thing.

“The timing couldn’t be better. Southwest Florida is heading into the peak of the tourist season. Sanibel decided, correctly, that now is the time to put the word out to the potential daytrippers, and just importantly to the places where the daytrippers stay. Don’t try to come to Sanibel on a whim. Plan it. Stay here, “for a few days, or a few weeks,” as Ruane says in the video.

“Only time will tell how much impact the new campaign will have. It’s getting some immediate buzz. The mayor’s piece and the Santiva Chronicle’s story about the traffic initiative both created traffic on the website, with the help of Facebook and Twitter. The Chronicle is widely seen both on and off the island, which is what the city wants.

“News-press.com has a good story today based on Monday’s releases from the city. Likewise, WINK News has an excellent report. It interviews Ruane and has plenty of footage to show that the island speaks the truth when it comes to traffic.

“See New-press.com report here and WINK News report here

“If you must drive, if you cannot stay for days or weeks, then “come early, stay late.” When here, park it, ride a bike and walk. All of this can help. And it applies to residents also. Islanders have become reluctantly hardened to traffic. The city is asking them to pick their spots when they travel around their own island.

“Let’s not kid ourselves. This isn’t going to eliminate traffic. The City Council, its many partners in the traffic initiative and all Islanders wish it would, but it won’t. But it can help. With 13,000 vehicles coming across the causeway daily during season, maybe a few thousand of them can be coached.”

16 Real Estate Trends for 2016

Here is some news as posted on-line last night by the Fort Myers News-Press.com:

“From office space to man caves, CCIM’s (Certified Commercial Investment Members) 2016 Commercial Real Estate Outlook Conference delivered the state of the state.

“For the 16th year running, CCIM Institute hosted a blue ribbon panel of demographic, market and real estate investment experts Thursday to preview what’s ahead for commercial real estate in 2016.

“From the opening salvo – “Florida is positioned for 60 months of wonderful real estate opportunities” – here are 16 takeaways from their wide-ranging analysis of local and Florida-wide markets.

How will downtown Fort Myers overcome crime-averse investors? High quality, economic development.
Collier and Lee counties could become a combined metropolitan statistical area in 2016 because of their employment and infrastructure ties.
Infill projects are big in almost every Florida market.
In the Great Recession, housing supply outstripped demand times two in Lee County. Going forward, all markets are balanced, except in high seasonal population centers.
Punta Gorda is drawing people to Charlotte County. “The city is new. You don’t find that often.”
Boomers moving here aren’t as wealthy as we would hope. “Thirty-six percent will be living on Social Security alone. We need to build smaller and less expensive.”
Snowbirds are coming to Southwest Florida earlier and staying longer. “We may be transitioning from a seasonal market.”
People are paying a premium for well-located commercial properties. In Naples, a small strip opposite Mercado leased for $242/square foot. In Miami-Dade County, people pay almost $5,000/square foot to be on Lincoln Road.
Retailers will need more distribution facilities as they switch to an Amazon model.
Commercial rents, especially for small flex spaces of 10,000 to 20,000 square foot, have become challenging. It will drive up rates and spur new construction.
Man caves — a space to store one’s cars and hang out — are a growing flex space trend. The caves are driving up flex space costs for traditional users.
The sale-to-asking price for Lee County commercial properties in all categories is close to 90%, compared with 74 to 77% in 2010.
Population growth will continue to support the growth of real estate in 2016. The market will remain stable in 2016, with more institutional and foreign investment.
Lending standards will tighten again in 2016, causing some market pull-back, but nothing like what we saw in the last cycle.
Banks have “plenty of money to lend. We are competitive and we are hungry for deals.”
A rising interest rate is always a roadblock. The rising rate environment will price some people out who might be looking for the next bigger space or a step up in location.”

Market Unrest Pushes Down Mortgage Rates

We knew this was coming – good news for those buyers needing financing – as posted this afternoon on “Daily Real Estate News”:

“For the third consecutive week, mortgage rates edged down, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage continuing its run below 4%, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey.

“”The Freddie Mac mortgage rate survey had difficulty keeping up with market events this week,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The 30-year mortgage rate dropped 11 basis points to 3.81%, the lowest rate in three months. This drop reflected weak inflation and nonstop financial market turbulence that is driving investors to the safe haven of Treasuries. However, the survey was largely complete prior to Wednesday’s Treasury rally that drove the yield on the 10-year Treasury below 2%, down 29 basis points since the end of 2015.”

“Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending Jan. 21:

30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.81%, with an average 0.6 point, dropping from last week’s 3.92% average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.63%.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.1%, with an average 0.5 point, falling from last week’s 3.19% average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 2.93%.
5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 2.91%, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 3.01% average. Last year at this time, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.83%.

Source: Freddie Mac”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity January 15-22, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Seashells of Sanibel #38 2/2 $395K, Loggerhead Cay #574 2/2 $569K, Island Beach Club #210B 2/2 $599K, St.Croix #4 2/2.5 $985K.

3 price changes: Lighthouse Point #217 2/2 now $555K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #1-1 2/2.5 now $665K, Sanibel Seaview #C3 4/4 now $1.749M.

6 new sales: Casa Blanca #6 1/1 listed at $250K, Sand Pointe #213 2/2 listed at $635K, Sandpiper Beach #101 2/2 listed at $799K (our listing), Kimball Lodge #306 2/2 listed at $989K, Snug Harbor #121 3/2 listed at 4998K, Sunset South #5A 2/2 listed at $1.195M.

5 closed sales: Blind Pass #E206 2/2.5 $400K, Sanibel Moorings #1422 2/2 $400K, Sanibel Arms West #M8 2/2 $500K, Island Beach Club #P2E 2/2 $1.039M, Nutmeg Village #113 2/2 $1.025M.

HOMES

5 new listings: 1970 Wild Lime Dr 4/3 $699K, 480 Peachtree Rd 3/3 $799K, 5753 Pine Tree Dr 3/4 $998K, 2939 Wulfert Rd 5/6 $1.895M, 3421 West Gulf Dr 5/4.5 $6.975M.

4 price changes: 1258 Par View Dr 3/2 now $775K, 1321 Par View Dr 3/2.5 now $924K, 532 Sea Oats Dr 3/4 now $1.275M, 1552 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/5.5 now $3.599M.

2 new sales: 450 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $549K, 513 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $825K.

No sold listings.

LOTS

2 new listings: 667 Birdie View Pt $349K, 5723 Baltusrol Ct $394K.

1 price change: 3723 West Gulf Dr $2.775M.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Beach Villas #2632 2/2 $710K.

No new price changes.

1 new sale: Ventura Captiva #1B 3/3 listed at $1.195M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11535 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $2.339M.

1 price change: 16464 Captiva Dr 8/8.5 now $6.795M.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report

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

Here’s hoping next Friday is sunny!

Whoops, you’ve gotta love Florida weather.

The sun just came out…at 4:35 p.m. on 1/22/2016!

Let’s hope it continues!

Happy weekend, everyone! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Just the way we like it…in front of Coquina Beach condos.

Santa Goes Kiteboarding on Sanibel Island

Posted on December 11, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan, reporting that after a successful, though sometimes drizzly overcast, island luminary weekend, Sanibel and Captiva Island weather since Monday has been fabulous – mostly sunny or partly-cloudy days with temperatures just into the low 80’s during the days, low 70’s at night. Not quite Christmas weather, but getting close. Perhaps by next week it will get down into the mid-70’s during the day!

Driving Periwinkle Way on Sanibel, to the lighthouse, or on Andy Rosse Lane on Captiva are particularly fun this time of the year. Holiday decorations and twinkling lights contribute to the tropical wonderland of the islands. The decorations may remain through the first week in January.

Here are a few news items, followed by the real estate activity posted this week in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Wondering Where Santa Was Last Weekend?

These photos were taken at Sanibel’s lighthouse beach…

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SanibelSusan Realty Action This Week

We were lucky to be involved in two of the eleven closings on Sanibel this week – our Island Beach Club listing and a home I sold in Shell Harbor. Other days, while teammate Dave was busy with home inspections and open houses, I was out showing property a few times, as teammate Elise kept track of other showings, and inquiries. We also had visits from some owners thinking of selling.

Adding two team birthdays, the BIG ARTs Chorus Holiday Concert, a Realtor West-End Caravan Meeting yesterday, and a couple of offers, made for a pretty busy week. “Not so for them”, say our pals in the accommodations business. They say that their calls have essentially stopped – probably because they have few if any winter vacancies and because many folks are busy with holiday planning and festivities. Another dilemma for those rental organizations is that the balcony restoration project at Pointe Santo has turned into a lengthier process than expected. Now the two gulf-front buildings there cannot be occupied in January. Moving tenants is not an easy process. Sometimes, we are very thankful that we work just real estate sales – no rentals!

Planning Commission Approves Restaurant at The Village Shops

Village Shops on Sanibel sign At Tuesday’s Planning Commission meeting, a proposed 50-seat restaurant for The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way, was approved (with conditions).

A conditional use permit and a development permit for RLR, or Royal Shell, was granted to go forward with the proposed restaurant.

Community House Renovation OK’d by Historical Preservation Committee

Sanibel Community House in 1927 (the old North room)

At yesterday’s Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting, Teresa Riska-Hall, Executive Director of The Sanibel Community House reiterated to our members that the Community House is not moving, but will be renovated. The following article is from The “Santiva Chronicle” on-line and was submitted by Tom Sharbaugh, President of the Sanibel Community Association Board.

“Renovation of the Sanibel Community House moved a step closer to reality as the plans received a Certificate of Appropriateness from the Historic Preservation Committee at the committee’s meeting Thursday, Dec. 3, at City Hall.

“The North Room portion of the Community House structure, now approaching 90 years old, is listed on the City’s Local Register of Historical Sites and Structures, therefore any modifications to the building must be reviewed by the committee to insure that proposed changes preserve the original appearance of the building. The planned renovation will repair deteriorating sections of the building exterior, restore the distinctive row of windows on the enclosed porch overlooking Periwinkle Way, and replace the aging roof with textured shingles resembling wooden shakes.

“Inside, the North Room will be restored to its original size by eliminating a storage closet. In addition, the original heart-pine flooring will be replaced with a new wooden floor. Said Teresa Riska-Hall, “People have always loved these pine floors, but after so many years they are worn so thin we’re just not able to refinish them anymore.”

“Beyond the North Room, the renovation will result in a redesign of the entire facility, inside and out, in an “old Sanibel” style harmonious with the original historic building. However, the vast majority of the renovation work will be devoted to installing new infrastructure and systems to bring the facility up to today’s code. This includes replacing outdated electrical, lighting, plumbing, air conditioning, fire alarms and sprinklers, and woefully inadequate restrooms and kitchen facilities.

“In approving the renovation plans, the Historic Preservation Committee was very complimentary of the design. The unanimous opinion of the committee was that the new work will improve the appearance and utility of the facility in a way that is respectful to Sanibel’s traditions and to the history of the original structure.

“Commenting on the plans, Committee member Lynn Campean said, “Architecturally, it is beautifully designed, and it meets our highest expectations.”

“Now that the historical appropriateness of the renovation project has been confirmed, permit applications for the project are tentatively scheduled to be heard by the Planning Commission in January.

“Most importantly, a major fundraising campaign will now move forward chaired by Community House Board Members Nicole McHale and John Talmage. Commenting on the upcoming Campaign, McHale said: “In the coming months we will be asking islanders to dig deep as we raise funds to preserve and protect this jewel of our community. Sanibel’s gathering place needs toilets that flush, sinks that drain, lights that come on when you flip the switches, and a host of other basic things. We’re excited to be coming to the members of our community to ask their help. The Community House belongs to all of us.””

‘Ding’ Darling Adds Acreage

According to an article in the local papers today:

“The ‘Ding’ Darling National Wildlife Refuge now is 9.1 acres larger than before with the addition of a parcel of wetlands and mangroves that came through a donation. “The property is not accessible by car and was big enough for one house. After being held for many years, the National Investment and Development Co. decided to turn it over to ‘Ding’ Darling. The property is adjacent to Bowman’s Beach.

““It’s a combination of wetlands, sand ridges and mangroves. It’s a generous donation of a valuable piece of wildlife habitat,” said John McCabe, immediate past president of the ‘Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge.

“The donation was revealed on Dec. 5 at the annual meeting of the DDWS. The property is located along Bowman’s Beach with access to Clam Bayou and has a number of gopher tortoises as well as an active Osprey nest, and will provide opportunities for wildlife in this area.

““This will become part of ‘Ding’ Darling and will be managed in coordination with the City of Sanibel,” McCabe said. “Through this donation the property will remain what it is now – an excellent wildlife habitat for a wide variety of species, including gopher tortoises.””

Mortgage Rates Edge Higher This Week

Though most island sales continue to be “cash”, there still are some with financing. One of my closings this week was the first since the new rules went into effect from the Federal changes in early October. Though more complicated for lenders and title companies, Barrier Island Title Services Inc. did a great job transitioning to this more cumbersome process. Thank you, Angie Martin!

Here’s what “DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS” posted today about mortgage interest rates:

FreddieMacLogo_3 “Mortgage rates inched higher this week following on the heels of a better-than-expected November employment report, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. “The economy added 211,000 new jobs in November exceeding analysts’ expectations, and the prior two months were revised higher as well,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This momentum is likely to cement a decision by the Fed to begin raising interest rates this month. Following the release of the employment report, Treasuries rose 7 basis points and in response the 30-year mortgage rate ticked up two basis points to 3.95%.”

“Freddie Mac reports the following national averages with mortgage rates for the week ending Dec. 10:

30-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.95%, with an average 0.6 point, rising from last week’s 3.93% average. Last year at this time, 30-year rates averaged 3.93%.
15-year fixed-rate mortgages: averaged 3.19%, with an average 0.5 point, rising from last week’s 3.16% average. A year ago, 15-year rates averaged 3.20%.
5-year hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages: averaged 3.03%, with an average 0.5 point, increasing from last week’s 2.99% average. A year ago, 5-year ARMs averaged 2.98%.
1-year ARMs: averaged 2.64%, with an average 0.2 point, inching up from 2.61% last week. A year ago, 1-year ARMs averaged 2.4%.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity December 4-11

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Sanibel Arms West #A6 2/2 $539K, Kings Crown #110 2/2 $780K, Tigua Cay #487 3/3.5 $2.195M.

2 price changes: Mariner Pointe #1073 2/2 now $465K, Villa Sanibel #1B 2/2 now $659.9K.

5 new sales: Blind Pass #E206 2/2.5 listed at $412K, Loggerhead Cay #471 2/2 listed at $499K, Sunset South #4C 2/2 listed at $799K, Nutmeg Village #113 2/2 listed at $1.079M, Gulfside Place #317 2/2 listed at $1.495M.

6 closed sales: Captains Walk #B8 2/2 $335K, Sanibel Arms #E8 2/2 $462K, Sundial East #T302 2/2 $700K, Sundial West #F201 2/2 $650K, Island Beach Club #260D 2/2 $1.1M (our listing), Gulfside Place #203 2/2 $1.275M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 1746 Windward Way 3/2 $595K, 1516 Bunting Ln 3/2 $650K, 693 Emeril Ct 3/3 $679K, 1391 Jamaica Dr 3/2 $1.295M.

2 price changes: 2407 Shop Rd 3/1 now $369K, 4619 Brainard Bayou Rd 3/2 now $569.9K.

1 new sale: 2543 Tropical Way Ct 3/2.5 listed at $1.15M.

3 closed sales: 720 Elinor Way 3/2 $639K, 842 Limpet Dr 4/3.5 $1.4M (our buyer), 3728 West Gulf Dr 5/5 $1.9M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1639 Serenity Ln $299,555.

1 price change: 2501 Wulfert Rd now $229K.

1 new sale: 690 Birdie View Pt listed at $384K.

2 closed sales: Pine Ave, lot 24 $175K, 1540 San Carlos Bay Dr $1.075M.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Marina Villas #904 2/2 listed at $665K, Lands End Village #1637 2/2 listed at $1.275M.

2 closed sales: Bayside Villas #4106 1/2 $265K, Gulf Beach Villas #2031 2/2 $618K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 57 Sandpiper Ct 2/2 $885K, 16251 Captiva Dr 7/4.5 $2.99M.

1 price change: 16177 Captiva Dr 8/7 now $5.95M.

1 new sale: 16861 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 listed at $1.99M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

It was another week of beautiful sunsets on the islands too! Here’s a favorite!

Dec sunset

’til next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Summer Like Weather in Nov on Sunny Sanibel Island

Posted on November 6, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s Susan just back from a quick trip to the Dominican Republic to find that my SanibelSusan teammates did a great job holding down the fort in my absence and preparing this update! Here’s what they had to say:

It was another quiet week on Sanibel, but traffic continues to increased. There was very little rain this week and local news stations have reported record-setting temperatures with afternoon highs of 91 degrees F.

The set-up for CROW’s Taste of the Islands was going on today across the street from SanibelSusan Realty. It is Sunday November 8th at the community park from noon to 5pm.

Here are some other news items followed by the MLS activity since last week.

SCCF Oyster Restoration

SCCF is looking for volunteers to help restore healthy, productive oyster reefs in San Carlos and Tarpon Bays. Events will be held three days a week from 9 a.m. until noon.

Restoration efforts started this week & included filling buckets with fossilized shell and transporting them to Tarpon Bay boat ramp, loading buckets onto a barge and transporting them to the restoration site, and finally dumping the shell. This is physical work so come prepared with clothes that can get dirty and wet and close-toed shoes that can get wet. Work days and plans for the upcoming weeks will be sent on Fridays to those individuals who have registered at http://marinelab.sccf.org/signup/.

Veteran’s Day Ceremony

The City of Sanibel and the Lee Coast Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America will conduct its annual Veterans Day Ceremony to honor military veterans on Wednesday, November 11th. It will be held at Sanibel City Hall with military music beginning at 10:45 am and ceremony starting at 11 am.

The guest speaker is former naval aviator and Sanibel resident Ed Sieber. Sanibel’s BIG ARTS Concert Band will provide music. One of the most touching aspects of the ceremony is Remembrances, where veterans recall past military experiences. Any veteran who wished to participate is welcome to do so.

Native Plant Nursery Moving

SCCF’s Native Plant Nursery will be moving to the Bailey Homestead Preserve. On Wednesday, November 11 at 8:30 there will be a soft opening for the nursery’s new location at 1300 Periwinkle Way and to present it’s new name SCCF Native Landscapes and Garden Center.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity October 30 – November 6

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Ibis at The Sanctuary #A201 3/2 $468.5K, Coquina Beach #3G 2/2 $524K (our listing with photos below), Lighthouse Point #217 2/2 $579K, West Shore #3 3/3 $1.749M.

1 price change: Blind Pass #G203 2/2 now $483K.

1 new sale: Pointe Santo #D5 2/2 listed at $725K.

3 closed sales: Blind Pass #B101 2/2 $410K, Cottage Colony West #110 1/1 $617K, Tarpon Beach #309 2/2 $832.5K.

HOMES

5 new listings: 954 Donax St 3/3 $500K, 863 Rabbit Rd 3/2 half-duplex $549K, 958 Cabbage Palm Ct 2/2 $730K, 923 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $889K, 532 Sea Oats Dr 3/4 $1.379M.

7 price changes: 2407 Shop Rd 3/1 now $374K, 1312 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $698K, 557 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3 now $829K, 249 Daniel Dr 2/2.5 now $824.9K, 1224 Par View Dr 3/3 now $1.149M, 750 Periwinkle Way 5/4 now $1.948M, 3675 West Gulf Dr 3/2 now $3.85M.

4 new sales: 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $499.9K, 3181 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 listed at $570K, 2079 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 listed at $599K, 4241 West Gulf Dr 5/4.5 listed at $3.995M.

1 closed sale: 734 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 $1.05M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 5407 Osprey Ct $504.5K (short sale), 6002 White Heron Ln $735K.

2 price changes: 4566 Buck Key Rd now $199K, Sabal Sands Rd, lot 8 now $219.9K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16979 Captiva Dr 7/6.5 $4.595M.

1 price change: 11525 Chapin Ln 4/4 now $1.595M.

1 new sale: 15000 Binder Dr 3/2 listed at $1.195M.

1 closed sale: 15172/174 Wiles Dr 7/5.5 multi-family $7.3M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 16970 Captiva Dr $2.7M.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan & The SanibelSusan Team (David Anderson, Elise Carnes, & Lisa Murty)

August Arrives – Summertime on Sanibel & Captiva Island

Posted on August 7, 2015 by SanibelSusan

Redfish Pass between Captiva & North Captiva

This week, the rainy weather experienced on the islands last week turned around, with hot sunny days in the low 90’s and just an occasional quick shower. If you are here on vacation this week, it’s a winner weather-wise!

Florida schools go back early with teachers in Collier starting on Monday, Lee the following week, so it is pretty much a summer wind-down beginning here. Many condo fall projects already are beginning and restaurants/shop workers are talking about when they will be closing for their pre-season breaks.

Vacation rental bookings have dwindled down too and will continue for the next few weeks until we see the snowbirds start to come back, usually mid-October.

The good news is that although there is not much real estate activity now, the buyers who are here looking, generally are serious.

There was no Realtor® Caravan Meeting this week, but The SanibelSusan Team had a handful of showings and another closing. The activity posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service over the last seven days, follows a couple of news items.

If you are on our mailing list, this week we mailed an island inventory booklet dated July 22, 2015. It is organized by island (Sanibel and Captiva) and property type (condos, homes, lots) and subdivision/complex. Included are the properties for sale and recent sales. If you want to be added to our mailing list, please call 888-603-0603 or 239-471-HOME (4663), or email Susan@SanibelSusan.com.

Where Do Buyers Come From?

The following comes from the National Association of Realtors® Economists’ Outlook blog on July 15:

“Getting involved in your community once only meant volunteering for a civil group, joining a sports club, or running for local governance. People stayed connected through face to face interactions. In an industry like real estate that thrives on friendly interactions and personal connections, building online communities through websites, social media, and digital communication is now one of the most efficient ways that REALTORS® can build and expand their network to generate new business.

“The majority of business for real estate professionals comes from referrals and repeat business, which makes sense since the industry is built upon personal relationships. At first, the idea of expanding online communities to grow the real estate industry seems like a no-brainer. All businesses these days rely on digital connectivity or they get left behind. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR)’s Research department flipped through its survey data to take a deep look at how its members value online communities for their business. Here is what the surveys said:

“The NAR 2015 Member Profile, an in-house survey that gathers demographic data on its 1 million real estate members, reports that:

65% of REALTORS® use social media for their business.
64% said that open houses brought no business.
40% of business for younger agents are from referrals and repeat business and 64% for more experienced agents.

“Naturally, word of mouth remains the largest source of income for NAR members and only grows by the number of years REALTORS® stay in the game. What is interesting to note is that open houses are almost a dead avenue for REALTORS® – they brought two-thirds of NAR members no business. Websites do not appear to bring in new clients on their own. However, two-third of members said they actively use social media as a means to market their brand and showcase their listings.

“The NAR 2014 Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers, NAR’s profile of the buying and selling process, states that:

The first step in the home-buying process for 43% of home buyers was looking online for properties and 12% looked online for information about how to buy a home.

“Ninety-two percent of buyers use the internet in some way in their home search process and 50% of buyers use a mobile website or application in their home search.

“Real estate agents were viewed as a useful information source by 98% of buyers who used an agent while searching for a home.

“Eighty-eight percent of buyers purchased their home through a real estate agent or broker—a share that has steadily increased from 69 percent in 2001. As a frame of reference, in 1964, 61% of buyers contacted agents, 40% read newspaper ads, and seven percent drove around when looking for a home. In 2014, 43% looked for properties online. While the initial process may start online, when buyers seek to make a home purchase, they turn to the advice from a real estate agent that they connected with from a trusted friend or family member.”

Sanibel Considers Increases for Beach Parking, Rec Center Fees

From the “Santiva Chronicle” on Tuesday, August 4, 2015:

“Beach parking prices and Recreation Center fees are about to go up on Sanibel. The Sanibel City Council will consider an ordinance at its September meeting that would raise the hourly fee for public beach parking from $3 to $4. Also to be considered at that meeting will be an ordinance that would raise fees for the various programs at the Sanibel Recreation Center in a range up to 20%.

“Both ordinances were proposed at the council’s meeting Tuesday, Aug. 4, as part of ongoing process of finalizing the 2016 fiscal year budget. “It’s important that taxpayers of Sanibel, the ones who are here all the time, not pay for increases in tourism on the island. The tourists should pay,” said Vice-Mayor Mick Denham, who moved to have the parking fee increase come before the council in September in the form of an ordinance. Beach parking fees pay for beach related expenses and Denham said the increase could be used to fund beach erosion projects, security cameras and other improvements.

““Beach parking pays for itself, but the beaches have other issues, like traffic and security,” Councilman Chauncey Goss said. He has advocated an increase in the parking fee since he came on the council this year.

“It’s a supply and demand issue,” Goss said. “If the beach parking lots are always full, then they may not be priced right.” “It’s a user fee, is what it is,” Councilman Marty Harrity said. “Let it pay for itself.” Denham urged that the council take Tuesday’s action in order to get the ordinance in front of the council in September for a first reading.

““Our population hasn’t changed. What’s changed is the number of visitors. It is reasonable to ask visitors to pay,” Denham said following the meeting. “We’ve already got $2.5 million going into our beaches, but that doesn’t pay for all of the expenses. We’ve got to live within our means.”

“Recreation Center – The council, at the urging of Mayor Kevin Ruane, sought ways of saving money at the Recreation Center and in response to that it received a report from Recreation Director Andrea Miller outlining ways to save $121,700. Among them is an across-the-board 10% increase in fees that would raise $60,000 more.

“Instead the council asked for an ordinance to be prepared that would evaluate programs at the Rec Center and determine appropriate increases in each up to 20%. “What programs are being heavily subsidized?” Goss asked. “We should identify those.”

“Presently the year individual rate for a resident is $157.50. A 10% increase would raise that to $173.25 and a 15% increase would take it to $181.13. “This gives us flexibility. Residents will still find that even with increases that our Rec Center is very competitive,” Ruane said.”

NAR Survey Finds Like-Kind Exchanges Promote Job, Economic Growth

According to a recent press release: “Real estate like-kind exchanges are an important vehicle for disposing of and acquiring properties and support the nation’s financial growth, job creation and economy, according to a new report from the National Association of Realtors®.

“The Like-Kind Exchanges: Real Estate Market Perspectives 2015 survey of NAR’s commercial and residential members found that real estate investors and commercial property owners place a very high priority on current like-kind exchange tax rules; 40% indicated that transactions would not have occurred in the absence of the tax provision, and 56% said even if the project would have occurred it likely would have been smaller in scale.

“Realtors® are active participants in like-kind exchanges; 63% of Realtors® participated in a like-kind exchange transaction between 2011 and 2015. The survey found that like-kind exchanges in which Realtors® participated created between 10 and 35 new jobs, mostly resulting from spending on building improvements following acquisition.

“”Like-kind exchanges that allow investors and businesses to defer capital gains taxes on the exchange of similar properties bring great advantages to investors, real estate markets and the economy,” said NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. “Realtors® and their clients often look for better economic use of existing properties that are underutilized, which helps promote local economic development and increase the nation’s gross domestic product.”

“Internal Revenue Code Section 1031, a provision that has been in the tax code since 1924, provides individuals and businesses with critically needed tax deferment on gains after the disposition of a property as long as the proceeds are reinvested in a similar property through a like-kind exchange. Replacement properties must be identified in 45 days and the transaction completed within 180 days.

“Survey respondents said the primary reason that they or their clients participated in a like-kind property exchange, aside from the deferral of capital gains taxes, was for equity to acquire additional properties. Other reasons were for estate planning, portfolio diversification and completion of a development project.

The tax savings resulting from like-kind exchanges are also helping bring more capital into local markets. Eighty-six percent of respondents said the savings from tax deferment allowed them or their clients to invest additional capital and make improvement in their acquired properties; these investments are generally responsible for the creation of new jobs, such as in construction and property management.

“According to the survey, in 68% of like-kind transactions, Realtors® acted as a broker or agent, and 24% participated as an owner or investor in the transaction. A larger percentage of commercial members (76%) reported engaging in a like-kind exchange transaction compared to residential members (45%). Of the total, 40% participated in between 1 and 3 transactions, and 23% participated in 4 or more transactions.

Residential properties comprised the largest portion of recent deals, accounting for 27% of disposed properties and 24% of acquired properties, followed by apartments (17% of dispositions and 22% of acquisitions). Land assets accounted for 19% of dispositions and 17% of acquisitions; retail properties accounted for 8% of dispositions and 13% of acquisitions; and office buildings comprised 11% of dispositions and 10% of acquisitions.

“Investors tend to hold on to their properties for several years; 47% of respondents reported their holding period was between 5 and 9 years, and 27% indicated a holding period of 10 to 14 years.

“NAR believes like-kind exchange transactions are fundamental to the real estate investment sector, and repealing the tax provision would have negative effects across real estate markets and the industry.

“Like-kind exchanges help investors more efficiently allocate capital and resources with less borrowed money into new investments that drive economic activity in communities across the nation,” said NAR President Chris Polychron, executive broker with 1st Choice Realty in Hot Springs, Ark. “Any tax reform plan repealing like-kind exchanges would hurt investors and small businesses, increase financial leverage, weaken growth and the economy, and result in the loss of jobs.”

“Survey respondents indicated that repealing like-kind exchange tax provisions would reduce equity in real estate; 67% indicated repeal would lead to a large increase in financial leverage. Realtors® said the negative result would be reduced purchase money and new construction loans, and increased property holding periods. Ninety-six percent of Realtors® also said real estate values would decrease if like-kind exchange provisions were repealed….”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity July 31 to August 7

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Sanibel Inn #14 2/2 now $739K.

1 new sale: Captains Walk #F7 2/1.5 listed at $310K.

3 closed sales: Captains Walk #F6 2/2 $285K, Sunset South #9C 2/2 $425K (our listing), Sundial #R304 2/2 $735K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 249 Daniel Dr 2/2.5 $834.9K.

3 price changes: 999 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 now $547K; 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $549,999; 1188 Harbor Cottage Ct 3/3 now $899,555.

2 new sales: 1744 Bunting Ln 4/2 listed at $649K, 734 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.195M.

1 closed sale: 1521 Wilton Ln 3/2 $520K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 5821 Pine Tree Dr $599K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 4626 Buck Key Rd $178K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Beach Villas #2618 2/2 now $659.9K.

1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1660 3/3 $1.35M.

HOMES

Nothing to report.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

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

Until next week, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Summertime Real Estate Report from Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on July 10, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan reporting the third week of “summer quiet” in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands real estate business. I have heard some interesting behind-the-scenes comments about how things have changed here this year. There definitely is a change in occupancy with accommodations mostly at capacity and the island busy, just busy having fun and not viewing or buying or listing real estate.

This week the “Periwinkle Way late-day traffic jam” reappeared. That usually is only during the winter months from about 3 to 7 p.m. when the islands are full and day workers are leaving. It is when traffic gets backed up at the 4-way stop. Typical late afternoon summer showers may have contributed to this extra summer traffic with more visitors on the road once the sun disappears.

The July 4^th festivities last weekend were well attended, with a big turn-out at SanibelSusan Realty for the parade. Here are a few photos, some taken by my cell phone, but the good ones are credited to our pal, Scott Shew, who always is great about sharing his pictures. Thank you, Scott.

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As the week progressed, Scott shared a few more photos. These two at Ding Darling he said were taken when the no see-ums were out in full force so the bird in the second one might be dunking to avoid them.

SZ6A0404

Below are a few news items followed by the action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service over the last seven days, there wasn’t much!

Heat Wave Sweeps Through Housing Market

From Realtor®Mag’s “DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS”:

“The housing market is getting hotter this summer, according to a preliminary analysis of June data from realtor.com®. The median list price nationwide in June rose 7% year-over-year, reaching $233,000. The median days on the market is 66 days, also down 7% year-over-year. Also, inventories are growing faster – 4% higher in June over May, but still down over last year. (That’s the case nationally, but not on Sanibel and Captiva where inventory is very low.)

“”Our early read of real estate trends in June suggests good news ahead for the U.S. residential real estate market, especially in the hottest markets with healthy growth in supply,” says Jonathan Smoke, realtor.com® Chief Economist. Traffic and searches on realtor.com® continued to set new highs in June. Unique users for June are now on pace for at least a 40% growth year-over-year and visits and searches at realtor.com® are expected to surge more than 50% and 30%, respectively, Smoke says.”

Economists Pinpoint Inventory Shortage Causes

As follow-up to the last article, this one based on The Wall Street Journal, June 26, has some answers:

“Inventories of homes for-sale remain low due to home owners staying put and homebuilders still keeping supplies tight, economists said during a panel discussion at the National Association of Real Estate Editors’ annual conference.

“Homes listed for resale in May were at a 5.1-month supply at the current sales pace. Most economists consider a supply of six to seven months to be balanced and healthy for the market.

“Economists at the National Association of Real Estate Editors’ annual conference pointed to several factors that are preventing sellers from putting their homes up for sale. Lawrence Yun, chief economist of the National Association of REALTORS®, blamed the bulk of the inventory shortage on the lack of new construction. “We will still have an inventory shortage if builders won’t build,” Yun said. “It is just simple math.”

“Other economists during the panel also said the persistent lack of equity four years into the housing recovery for a large number of home owners continues to prevent many would-be sellers. About 5 million homes in the U.S. — or 10% — are underwater, valued at less than the mortgage.

“Also, some home owners may be reluctant to sell partly because they refinanced in recent years at interest rates of less than 4% and they don’t want to give up those low rates, says Frank Nothaft, CoreLogic’s Chief Economist.

“The economists also noted a significant increase in single-family homes being offered for rent that have dented the overall supply of homes for-sale too. Nothaft estimates that since the downturn investors have purchased 3 million single-family homes and converted them into rentals.

“Other economists at the session also noted that stringent mortgage standards, prohibitive land costs, and limited lending to small builders was also prompting a lower supply of homes for sale.”

Study: Biggest Opportunities in Boomer Market

We aren’t giving up on those baby boomers just yet. They definitely are the largest market segment on the islands. Here’s what “DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS” said about them last Wednesday:

“Though the real estate industry has made it a mission to bring Millennials into home ownership in recent years, a new study by research firm HouseCanary suggests we not ignore an inconvenient truth: Baby boomers have the buying power.

“The study raises questions about how wise it is to focus on Millennial buyers, given their economic limitations. If interest rates — which are expected to keep ticking up this year — were to increase to 6%, more than one in three Millennials would no longer be able to afford a home at their current prices, HouseCanary found. Millennials are carrying high debt with limited savings, and their career growth has been slow.

But baby boomers have fueled the housing market for decades as the biggest drivers of growth in the entry-level market in the 1970s and ’80s, as well as the move-up market in the ’90s and 2000s. Boomers aren’t slowing down: They’re expected to continue to drive household growth over the next 20 years “due to significant wealth and high home ownership rates,” according to HouseCanary. Over the past year alone, baby boomers accounted for 244% of household growth annually.

“”The vast imbalances in wealth and home ownership among baby boomers and Millennials are resulting in wide disparities in the demand for home buying versus renting,” says HouseCanary President JP Ackerman. “Our analysis indicates that rising interest rates and home prices will exacerbate the situation, as the Millennials’ ability to purchase homes will be severely jeopardized as monthly payments get further out of reach.”

“HouseCanary CEO Jeremy Sicklick says his company’s research indicates greater opportunity for developers to target the aging population with for-sale inventory while targeting the younger generation for-rent inventory.”

New Fire Station on Captiva

The grand opening of the new fire station on Captiva is scheduled for Sat, July 18, from 10 a.m. until noon. The public is invited. It also is the 60^th anniversary of the creation of the Captiva Island Fire District. During that time, it has transformed from a volunteer bucket brigade to a squad of highly-trained professionals with equipment for not just fighting fires but also for advanced life support. Congratulations! www.CaptivaFire.com

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity July 3-10

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Tennisplace #D31 1/1 $239K, Heron at The Sanctuary III #1B 3/2.5 $650K, Nutmeg Village #309 2/2 $799K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Colonnades #15 1/1 listed for $225K.

3 closed sales: Sunset South #2D 2/2 $500K, Breakers West #C2 2/2 $522.5K, Nutmeg Village #214 2/2 $920K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 976 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 half-duplex $495K, 3402 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $2.2M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 1774 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed for $539K.

1 closed sale: 1325 Par View Dr 3/2.5 $695K.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 2460 Library Way listed for $324.9K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Bayside Villas #5144 1/2 $299.9K, Ventura Captiva #1B 2/2 $1.35M.

1 price change: Bayside Villas #5310 3/3 now $585K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 new sales: 16785 Captiva Dr 3/3.5 listed for $1.395M, 1105 Tallow Tree Ct 3/3 half-duplex 3/3 listed for $2.0449M.

1 closed sale: 16512 Captiva Dr 7/5.5 $6.525M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Good weekend wishes to all. Little rain is expected here over the next few days, so no traffic jams expected! Here’s hoping the sunsets are as beautiful as this one. (Thanks, Melissa!)

Cheers! Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan)

Happy Birthday, America! From Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on July 3, 2015 by SanibelSusan

Lots of families are vacationing on Sanibel and Captiva Islands this week, but not much real estate action. The market here continues to improve, albeit it slowly now that most of the “in season” sales have closed and not many buyers are in town. Below is a sampling of the statistics today compared to prior year sales.

Only 263 properties currently are available for sale on Sanibel; 397 sold last year. Considering those under contract too, there are 350 Sanibel sales already this year, a record number with only half the year over. Once those snowbirds get back, this might turn into a banner year!

Before a report of the activity posted over the last seven days in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service, here is some other summer, holiday, and real estate news.

Celebrating July 4^th on Sanibel

Here for the 4^th? The City website www.MySanibel.com posted the following special event permits:

7 – 9 a.m. – Pancake Breakfast, Sanibel Community Church, 1740 Periwinkle Way, info (239) 472-2684
9:30 a.m. – Independence Day Parade – “For the Fun of It” – Parade begins at Tarpon Bay Rd on Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Rd, info (239) 246-2981 (Good watching from SanibelSusan Realty if you are in the neighborhood.)
10:30 a.m. Boy Scouts Independence Day Celebration (after parade), Jerry’s Shopping Center, 1700 Periwinkle Way, water slide, food, & refreshments; info (239) 472-9300
12 noon – San-Cap Optimist Club’s 36th Annual Road Rally, Timbers Restaurant, 703 Tarpon Bay Rd, info (239) 472-0836
9:00 p.m. – Fireworks Display (rain or shine) – Sanibel & Captiva Islands’ Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring this year. Fireworks will be launched from the north end terminus of Bailey Rd. Best viewing from Sanibel Causeway Islands and bay side of the island.
Holiday Sidewalk Sales – The following retailers and shopping centers obtained annual Retail Holiday Sidewalk Sales permits, so may be holding special sidewalk sales over the holiday:

Sanibel Square, 2200-2250 Periwinkle Way
Olde Sanibel Shoppes, 630 Tarpon Bay Road
Tahitian Gardens Shopping Center, 1975-2019 Periwinkle Way
The Village Shops, 2340 Periwinkle Way
Periwinkle Place Shopping Center, 2075 Periwinkle Way
Gene’s Books, 2365 Periwinkle Way
Palm Ridge Plaza, 2330 Palm Ridge Road #1
Ickle Pickle, 2427 Periwinkle Way
Bailey’s Center, 2477 Periwinkle Way

Weather Service Again Recognizes Sanibel as Storm Ready

Here on the islands we don’t like to use the “h” word, but we also know it’s best to be prepared for those events. Posted on Monday on the “Santiva Chronicle” on-line”:

“The City of Sanibel has again been recognized by the National Weather Service as a “Storm Ready” community. This special recognition was first achieved in June 2009 and the City of Sanibel was the 8th community of the 410 Florida municipalities to be recognized as Storm Ready. Today, only 22 communities in Florida have received this designation.

“It is the goal of the National Weather Service to use the program to prepare communities for all dangerous weather. Storm Ready communities are better prepared to save lives from the onslaught of hazardous weather through advanced planning, education and awareness. Click here to see the notice received from the National Weather Service.

“”It is important to remember that this designation does not render us storm proof, but as a barrier Island in the sub-tropics it is important we prepare collectively for the worst Mother Nature can send us. There is no substitution for preparation and planning,” stated City Manager Judie Zimomra upon receiving notice of the designation.

“The City of Sanibel’s 2015 Hurricane Seminar can be viewed by clicking here.”

Turn Out the Lights! Sea Turtles Starting to Hatch

A great a photo posted on-line by Florida Atlantic University researcher Jake Lasala of Sanibel homeowner and SCCF Turtle Patrol volunteer, Jewel Jensen. It shows her checking a green sea turtle nest. Jewel and her hubby bought one of our listings a couple of years ago. Here’s the turtle news that was posted on the “Santiva-Chronicle” on Tuesday.

“Turn out the lights! It’s not because the party is over. It’s because the party is in full swing.

“The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation reports that three of the reported 417 sea turtle nests on Sanibel and Captiva have hatched and in two of those nests hatchlings were disoriented by light and didn’t head into the Gulf of Mexico.

““Please observe Lights Out For Sea Turtles!” SCCF said in its weekly sea turtle report issued Monday, June 29, for the period ending Friday, June 26. “Three nests hatched last week but hatchlings from two of the three nests were disoriented. Please shield lights on the beach; hatchlings head to the lightest horizon (which is normally the water).”

“The rest of SCCF’s report is good news. SCCF breaks down turtle nesting into three zones and all three showed healthy nesting activity in the past week for a total of 417 nests and false crawls approaching 1,000 for the season at 994. Here is the breakdown for the June 26 report, with the previous week’s statistics in parentheses:

Sanibel East: 82 (71) nests, 216 (176) false crawls
Sanibel West: 247 (193) nests, 617 (458) false crawls
Captiva: 88 (71) nests, 161 (110) false crawls
TOTAL: 417 (335) nests, 994 (744) false crawls

“Last year produced 535 nests, tied for second best since 1996 and just two off the record 537 recorded in 2000.

“SCCF also reports that 12 green sea turtle nests have been discovered, with 11 of them on Sanibel West and one on Captiva.

“SCCF continues to cover as many nests as possible to prevent raids by coyotes.”

The “Sanibel Plan” Now Available Electronically

If was great to read this news release on Tuesday from the City Planning Department:

The City of Sanibel’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan, also known as the “Sanibel Plan,” is now available electronically in its entirety on the City of Sanibel webpage at www.mysanibel.com . To access the Sanibel Plan Click here.

“The original Sanibel Plan was adopted in 1976. The plan was amended and extensively revised in 1985, 1989, 1997 and 2007. In 2007, the American Planning Association recognized the Sanibel Plan with the National Planning Landmark Award.

“In 2013, the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) for the Sanibel Plan was completed and adopted. This report concluded that the Plan is consistent with all State requirements including changes made to State Statutes contained in the Community Planning Act of 2011. In 2013, the State of Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Division of Community Development, issued a finding that the Sanibel Plan, as adopted by City of Sanibel Ordinance 12-010, is in compliance with Section 163.3184(4) of Florida Statutes.

Questions regarding the Sanibel Plan should be directed to City of Sanibel Planning Director James Jordan at jimmy.jordan@mysanibel.com or 239-472-4136.”

The second volume of the plan includes what is called the “Future Land Use Map Series”. Realtors often refer to several of these maps, so it is great news to find that they are now handy on-line. The maps include: Ecological Zone Maps (remember, Sanibel’s different zones allow different development and coverage), Commercial Zoning Map, Resort Housing District Map (showing areas where short-term rentals are allowed), Wetlands Conservation Lane Maps, Environmentally Sensitive Lands Conservation District Map, and Development Intensity Maps. All good stuff. Thank you, Sanibel, for making these so easily available.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 26-July 3

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Colonnades #51 1/1 $219K, Sanibel Arms #B1 2/2 $525K, Sundial #E205 2/2 $859K.

5 new sales: Colonnades #51 1/1 listed for $219K, Spanish Cay #F2 1/1 listed for $250K (our listing & sale), Captains Walk #F3 2/1.5 listed for $289.9K, Sundial #H302 2/2 listed for $599K, Sanibel Sunset #202 3/2 listed for $1.745M.

At Spanish Cay

2 closed sales: Seashells #27 2/2 $315,375, Pelicans Roost #101 2/2 $745K (our sale).

HOMES

3 new listings: 499 Leather Fern Pl 3/2 $625K, 1148 Shell Basket Ln 4/2 $699K, 3728 West Gulf Dr 5/5 $1.995M.

1 price change: 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 now $465K.

1 new sale: 4636 Buck Key Rd 2/2 listed for $419K.

9 closed sales: 2407 Shop Rd 2/1 $272.5K, 982 Main St 3/2.5 $420K, 4515 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $540K, 2220 Camino del Mar 3/3 $570K, 4241 Old Banyan Way 3/2 $660K, 1136 Golden Olive Ct 4/4.5 $2.35M, 4203 Dingman Dr 4/3 $2.8M, 2980 Wulfert Dr 4/6.5 $2.8M, 4525 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5K, $3.725M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 2400 Blue Crab Ct $309K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: 3117 Tennis Villas 1/1 $244K.

1 price change: 3131 Tennis Villas 2/2 now $415K.

1 new sale: Beach Homes #30 3/2 listed for $2.195M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or sales.

2 price changes: 11490 Old Lodge Ln 3/3.5 now $1.329M, 11521 Laika Ln 3/3 now $1.395M.

1 closed sale: 11513 Wightman Ln 5/5 $1.64M

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Best wishes from Susan & The SanibelSusan Team for a safe & happy 4th!

Summer Rain in the Neighborhoods on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on June 12, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It was another fairly quiet week on Sanibel with late-day summer rains continuing and not much real estate action over the last seven days. Just had the electricity in the office go on and off multiple times as I was trying to post this blog. Those folks who scooted out early on a Friday afternoon had the right idea as a huge rain is dousing Southwest Florida now (4 p.m.).

In the real estate world, The SanibelSusan Team had another nice closing on Tuesday, the charming olde-Florida home with guest house, separate garage, and resort-style pool at 375 East Gulf Dr. Due to building code restrictions, we don’t see many multi-building residential properties like it on Sanibel. Since it dates back to the late 50’s, before City incorporation, it has some wonderful and unusual features.

Pool at 375 East Gulf Dr

Wednesday, we also had a walk-in looking for an entry-level income-producing condo at Sundial and we continue to receive inquiries about where to rent next winter. There aren’t many vacancies left!

Teammate Dave and I had a couple of listing presentations this week which resulted in two new listings – both pool homes. One, a split-plan 3 bedroom 2-1/2 bath near the beach in Little Lake Murex has an amazing wide and long lake view. The other, a large 5-bedroom 4-bath in gated Laguna Lakes with amenities, is just off-island.

View at 597 Lake Murex Circle

View at Sunset South #9C

It was another week without a Thursday Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting, but there will be one next week when our new listing at Sunset South #9C is on the schedule.

Little real estate activity has been posted in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday. Compared to “high season” when we may see as many as 15-25 island properties go under contract in a week, this week there were just five: a single Sanibel condo and four homes, three on Sanibel and one on Captiva. Those details follow a few news items below.

Florida’s Economic Growth Beats U.S. Average

The following article was posted at FloridaRealtors® on-line yesterday:

“Florida’s economic growth in 2014 outpaced the national average, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Wednesday. Goods and services produced in Florida increased 2.7% last year compared with 2.2% nationally, the bureau said.

“Growth in Florida topped all states east of the Mississippi River except West Virginia where the economy jumped 5.1% thanks to its mining industry, said BEA spokesman Thomas Dail.

“Florida’s economy, meanwhile, has benefited from strong growth in real estate and rental and leasing, Dail said. Florida, with more than triple the national growth in the real estate sector, was behind only North Dakota, the federal data showed.

“”There has been fairly strong contributions from retail trade as well,” Dail added. Florida had nearly double the national growth in the retail sector and was behind only Arizona, Washington and North Dakota, according to BEA’s numbers.

“Overall, Florida’s economic growth ranked 11th in the nation – good enough to beat any state touching the Atlantic – including New York, Massachusetts, Virginia and Georgia.

“The one bleak spot: Florida’s per capita share of the economy – the state’s output of goods and services divided by its population – continues to lag the nation’s. Last year, Florida’s was $38,690 vs. the nation’s $49,049. Florida has yet to recover to its pre-recession high of $44,048 in 2006.

“Florida has been rebounding from a deep recession since 2011, when the state’s economy actually contracted 0.6%, federal data shows. Goods and services grew only 1.7% in 2012, below the 1.9% national average.

Florida’s economy outpaced the nation’s in 2013 and 2014.”

Sanibel + Captiva Islands: Florida’s Best Family-Friendly Nature-Loving Escapes

We know it has helped the real estate market and the economy here as the islands have made top-ranking on many internet sites. FYI, here’s the article about Sanibel and Captiva that was posted yesterday on-line on “Forbes” by their travel writer, Katie Kelly Bell:

Photo from Forbes on-line 06-11-2015

“The sister islands of Sanibel and Captiva are something of a special breed in Florida. You won’t find bustling theme parks, water parks or alligator attractions on these islands. There won’t be long lines of sweaty tourists or beaches thronged with sunbathers either. In fact, these islands with their fertile unspoiled habitats seduce visitors without even trying.

Photo from Forbes on-line 06-11-15

“The islanders like to think the appeal is in the numbers: 15 miles of beaches, 25 miles of bike paths, 50 kinds of fish, 230 kinds of birds, 250 kinds of shells and their favorite number of all—zero traffic lights. Sanibel alone is home to 6,400 acres of mangrove wilderness, which is almost half of the total island. Many visitors just come to spend time in the J. Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge—a birders paradise, but also an ideal place for nature hikes and the occasional alligator spotting.

“Sanibel and Captiva (which are connected by a short causeway) also have a few simple guidelines in place that keep this wildlife-rich paradise as pristine as it was when I first visited as a young girl almost 40 years ago. The island allows no weekly home rentals (although smaller condominiums can be rented weekly) and no developer, no matter how deep the pockets, is permitted to build a structure higher than three stories.

“Yet, most people really don’t care about the rules; they come for the uncrowded beaches and unparalleled shelling. During my first visit as a child, my father and I decided to go shelling in the rain. We discovered the most magical things on that gloomy day–lighting whelks, king conch, shark eyes–even the occasional fish or horseshoe crab washed ashore by storm tide. Our pockets bulged with loot. I felt like an explorer, alone in the beachy wilderness. The adventure remains one of my most treasured memories with my dad to this day.

“In the following years I’ve taken my own babies down those beaches—each walk its own treasure hunt. Shelling on Sanibel is a rewarding pursuit simply because it yields intact shells—the ones with critters have to go back—but the empties are yours to keep. Of course you can sunbathe, or just drift in the gentle waves, but busy bees like me find the shelling hard to ignore.

“The island is threaded with bike trails and it’s a great way to get around or just explore sections you haven’t yet seen. I prefer biking through the wildlife refuge to driving—one always sees more when you slow down—and see you will. You can also take a guided tour by kayak through the refuge or through the mangrove forest. (Tarpon Bay Explorers offer several options led by naturalists). Expect to see a wide range of wildlife including dolphins, manatees, alligators, anhinga, pelican, and more.

“Shoppers won’t be disappointed, nor will those who just eat out every meal…Sanibel and Captiva have enough of both options to keep visitors busy for weeks without ever having to return to the dreary “mainland”.

“Today I go for different reasons—my mother, who lives there now, is aging and we spend more time shuttling her to the hospitals in Ft. Myers than shelling or kayaking. But, on each trip the wildlife still give–I’ll spy an anhinga drying its wings, or a pelican diving for dinner, and shells still wash ashore. Maybe that’s why people come back year after year—the island never changes–and you can feel, if only for a while, that you haven’t changed either.

“When to Go: Summer is certainly hottest—but the islands are quieter during this season. Once November hits (through late April) you’ll be competing with the high season in terms of pricing. There are never any lines or crowded beaches here—just traffic getting off and on the island. So year-round it’s still a pleasure to visit….”

Sanibel Sewer Project Moves to Last Phase

The Sanibel Sewer Expansion Program is moving into Phase Four which is the last portion of the program which included centralization in 1974 and consolidation of island wastewater in 1991.

The program is about 99% complete with 42 properties in Phase Four remaining to be converted from their current septic systems. A low flow exemption has been granted to 28 properties, which will remain on septic for a temporary time period, which allows these properties to remain on their systems until they fail. The construction of Phase Four is estimated to take three off-seasons with the potential of being completed in just two. A more firm timetable will be established for City Council’s July meeting.

Read a Book, Get a Donut

Sanibel’s Bennett’s Fresh Roast is encouraging children to read while out of school for the summer. The shop is offering donuts in exchange for reading. Through August 31, school-aged children, from kindergarten through 5^th grade, may receive a complimentary fresh donut each time they read a book at Bennett’s. Children may receive one free donut per day before 4 p.m. when they read a book while accompanied by a parent. Books appropriate for children are available for reading on-site.

Island Businesses Earn Trip Advisor Awards

Trip Advisor has awarded several Sanibel businesses with Hall of Fame Awards (which are earned after winning five years in a row) or single excellence awards. Trip Advisor says Sanibel is “a family destination offering the best of both worlds. Sanibel Island is a vibrant community with laid-back beach relaxation or deep sea adventures. Fishing excursions, dolphin-watching tours and snorkeling appeal to travelers of all ages. Sanibel vacation homes are praised for their cozy, yet airy vibes and proximity to some of American’s most gorgeous beaches, with views into the Gulf of Mexico to make for a frame-worthy picture or postcard.”

Here are the businesses that recently received awards:

Pinocchio’s Original Italian Ice Cream

Certificate of Excellence Hall of Fame Winner.

Tarpon Bay Explorers

2015 Hall of Fame

Oceans Reach Condominiums

Customer Satisfaction Index of 98.2 when rated for value, rooms, service, cleanliness, and location.

Beachview Cottages

Hall of Fame Award for their unique vacation experience.

Fourth of July Events Announced

The 4^th of July is on Saturday this year. Here are the events promoted in today’s “Island Sun”.

25^th Annual Independence Day Parade – themed “For The Fun of It”. Parade line-up begins on Island Inn Road at 8:30 a.m. & the parade begins at 9:30 a.m., traveling from Island Inn Road to Tarpon Bay Road down Periwinkle Way to Casa Ybel Road. Commemorative T-shirts are available at Bank of the Islands and will be sold along the parade route.

36^th Annual Road Rally – sponsored by Sanibel-Captiva Optimists Club, teams puzzle out clues while following a prescribed driving course around the island. Prizes are awarded for correct time and mileage, the most correct answers to the quiz about things seen along the route, as well as best decorated vehicle. Entry forms available in various locations around the island. Fee covers car, driver, navigator, unlimited crew, and includes one official Road Rally T-shirt (additional shirts available for $15). Rally begins at Timbers Restaurant/Sanibel Grill parking lot at noon, and ends there for the “after-glow party”. Starting times are staggered. All proceeds provide funds for college scholarships.

Sanibel Island Fireworks Nights 2015 – at 9 p.m. set off from the end of Bailey Road into San Carlos Bay. Best viewing from the causeway. (Sorry, no public event at The Dunes this year, but member and VIP event 6:30 to 9:30 p.m.)

First Federal Junior Duck Stamp Judging On Sanibel

Next year, for the first time, J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge will hose the Federal Junior Duck Stamp judging. The public is invited, so mark April 22, 2016 on your calendars, and stay tuned for news of other activities in the planning stages.

““Ding” on the Wing”, the “Ding’ Darling Wildlife Society newsletter, announced this week that “Every year, the Refuge hosts the judging of the Florida Duck Stamp program. In 2016, it will welcome the nationwide judging – a fitting tribute to Sanibel Island as the birthplace of the JDS program.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 5-12

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Somerset #B201 3/2.5 $1.95M.

2 price changes: Captains Walk #B4 2/2 now $315K, Blind Pass #G203 2/2 now $485K.

1 new sale: Sanibel Arms #E7 1/1 listed for $339K.

5 closed sales: Colonnades #41 1/1 $185K, Sundial #H109 1/1 $315K, Seawind #A106 2/2.5 $450K, Sundial #J401 1/1 $465K, Lighthouse Point #231 2/2 $640K.

HOMES

5 new listings: 1314 Tahiti Dr 2/2 $525K, 1388 Tahiti Dr 3/2 $679K, 887 Casa Ybel Rd 4/3 duplex $699K, 597 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 $749K (our listing), 689 East Rocks Dr 3/3 $768.5K.

4 price changes: 1182 Kittiwake Cir 3/3 now $659K, 1085 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $670K, 3364 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $789K, 5773 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 2/2 now $1.95M

3 new sales: 1599 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex listed for $489K, 4515 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 listed for $585K, 2999 Twin Ponds Dr 4/3.5 listed for $865K.

5 closed sales: 536 Boulder Dr 3/2.5 $650K, 820 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2 $950K, 375 East Gulf Dr 4/3 $970K (our buyer), 6170 Dinkins Lake Rd 3/3 $1.575M, 428 Bella Vista Way 4/4 $1.6M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 915 Main St $150K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Beach Villas #2525 2/2 $649K.

1 price change: Tennis Villas #3111 1/1 now $249K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16237 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 $3.95M.

1 price change: 1105 Tallow Tree Ct 3/3 now $2.049M.

1 new sale: 1121 Schefflera Ct 4/4.5 listed for $3.99M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

What’s Happening Now on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on May 1, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan again with some Friday scoop. My team and I have been busy all week with action items on new listings, upcoming closings, and recently negotiated contracts, but new business was markedly slower this week, while traffic was markedly improved.

Yesterday’s Realtor® Caravan Meeting was lightly attended and showing activity/inquiries were down too. Below after a couple of news items is the activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service this week.

Community House Renovation Plans Moving Ahead

It was with interest that the April-May newsletter of the Sanibel Community Association “The House News” reported the following:

“The long-anticipated renovation of the Community House is moving forward, with building and site plans being completed this year and primary construction now expected to happen in the Summer of 2016. This will allow the House to host its normal schedule of activities during next season (2015/2016) without disruption.

“The renewal project will restore the historic North Room, in a manner consistent with its designation as a historical landmark, and the overall outside appearance of the Community House will be designed to be compatible with the “Olde Florida” style. Inside, the House will receive a major modernization, with upgraded electrical, plumbing, and audio-visual equipment, expanded and modernized kitchen and rest room facilities, and more flexible interior space, and a fresh look.”

A subsequent, email update today from SCA covered some points from their recent annual meeting including: that the last major renovation there occurred in the 70’s when the auditorium was added. After the upcoming summer 2016 renovation, the facility is expected to reopen in October. Local architect (& fellow Sanibel Chorus alto) Amy Nowacki has been appointed to design the project. Benchmark has been engaged as General Contractor. Cost for the project is estimated to be slightly under $2M.

“In the presentation to SCA membership, a new vision was outlined for how the Community House could participate in the Civic Core operations. “While SCA’s Board has decided to renovate its current building rather than construct a new Community House on the north side of Periwinkle at this time, we hope to be able to move SCA’s major outdoor festival-type events across the street to the planned Civic Core Community Green. This would include things like the major Arts & Crafts Fairs which operate over several days during the height of season. Locating those events on the Community Green would give them a more comfortable setting and make for easier parking and pedestrian access.

“SCA’s vision calls for the Civic Core project to include construction of an open-air pavilion on the Community Green that would serve as a base for the outdoor festival events and be available for other types of open-air functions, with parking provided by the new Civic Core shared parking lots. SCA plans to advance this idea with the City and other Civic Core stakeholder groups.”

Sweet Island Message

A couple of my teammates scowl when they hear that I have posted something on social media, particularly Facebook. But being a forward-thinking professional, I want to ensure that our business is marketed in whatever way necessary to best serve our clients and customers. Experts advise that younger generations rely on social media for business as well as pleasure, and since I have both received listings and found new prospective buyers through social media, my adventure into technology will continue.

What really irritates me though about social media, especially this week, is the amount of negativity that is posted and then perpetuated. My Dad always said “if you don’t have something nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” I know that I don’t always follow that advice, so it is heartwarming to read what I consider a “sweet message” once in a while.

On Facebook, there is a closed group called “Beautiful Sanibel Island”. The only requirement to join is that you “love Sanibel Island”. With over 6,000 followers, it is bound to have some naysayers occasionally and it does; but when I read the below message this morning from a gal who was here on visiting, I said to myself, “I must share this.” (Warmed my heart even more to see that the author is from Maine too! Those gals tell it like it is!)

“I returned home after another week in paradise a few days ago. The respect that everyone, young and old has for this magical island never ceases to amaze me. I just want to share 2 of my favorite interactions. I noticed a little girl, approximately 7 years old on a sandbar, holding the most beautiful, HUGE Lightening Whelk. I approached her to take a look and she, in a very matter of fact way says, “we can’t keep it, he’s alive”. It warmed my heart. The second was while I was taking a walk near the lighthouse. I saw a gentleman in his mid twenties, nice looking, nice physique, carrying something toward the water. I walked over to see what he had. It was a little Leopard crab. The handsome, young man says, “poor little fella, I need to get him back to the ocean. I hope he’ll be alright”. God, I love Sanibel…”

The Sanctuary Golf Club says “Please, Pardon the Dust…”

As yet another indication that “season” is over, the following article was in the April issue of the “Sanctuary Sound”.

“The Members of The Sanctuary Golf Club have made a decision to remodel, redecorate, and refresh! …

“First, the Clubhouse will be remodeled. The integrity of the brand will remain but new furnishings, paint, carpet, decorations, etc. will be added to refresh the Club. Next, the outside dining will be enhanced to capture the magnificent golf course view. Lastly, the fitness center and pool will be removed for a 5,000 sq. ft. Tennis & Wellness building. It will include new state-of-the-art fitness equipment, an aerobics room, massage therapy rooms, and locker rooms. The lap pool will augment the exercise programs to include water aerobics…these changes will begin May 2016.”

Note: Their social membership is capped at 100 with 14 currently on the waiting listing. With normal attrition just 2 to 4 members a year, if you are considering joining The Sanctuary as a social member, it makes sense to complete an application and get your name on the list now. There are no fees for the applying. For more info, contact Sheryl Tatum, Director of Membership, 239-332-5182 or statum@sanctuarygc.net.

RPAC Hair Color Challenge

At our Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting yesterday, I challenged colleagues to change their hair color as part of our annual fundraiser for RPAC. RPAC (Realtor® Political Action Committee) contributions support a variety of things affecting all of us. Those issues include electing Realtor®-friendly legislators who protect property rights, competitive and affordable flood insurance, protecting the environment, cleaning waterways, and re-nourishing beaches. Realtor® dollars contributed to RPAC are used: 30% to national issues, 45% to Florida (http://pac.floridarealtors.org), while 25% may be used by local associations.

Each May, after “season”, our Sanibel/Captiva Association hosts an event which originally was known as “The Over-the-Hump Party”. This year, the event includes advance raffle-ticket sales, a golf tournament, and both silent and live auctions with items donated by members, plus an after-party. The purpose is to celebrate that we made it through another “season” and to raise money for RPAC.

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® may be small, but we recognize the importance of RPAC. SanibelSusan’s challenge adds just a different twist to raising a few more dollars this year. Those taking the challenge only need to color their hair wild and colorful before the event on May 20. If they meet the challenge, I will make a contribution toward their RPAC goal, provided they are more than 50% vested themselves. Goal levels begin at just $100.

If I am the only one on the island with pink hair in a few weeks, you will know that no one took my challenge, but I am hopeful that you will see some fun local color soon! Sanibel/Captiva took home four of the five state RPAC awards last year for a board of our size. This year we are hoping for five out of five! The gauntlet has been thrown.

Six Florida Islands That Are Better (And Usually Cheaper) Than The Caribbean

Here is the intro to an article posted this week on the Huffington Post’s “HuffPost Travel”:

“If you’re craving an exotic beach escape to one of the best islands in the world, then head to Florida. Floridian islands made up three of TripAdvisor’s Top 10 Islands In The U.S. this year. They’re so stunning that earlier this year, the tourism bureau of Ithica, New York even begged travelers to go, to forgo the city to visit Florida’s islands instead. While getting to the Caribbean can be a schlep for your luggage and tough on your wallet, visiting Florida’s islands will not require going through customs and are often, though not always, cheaper to get to.”

The write-up included the below photo and had this to say about Sanibel: “Sanibel Island – With no chain stores, no stoplights and a population of just about 7,000 people, this place is pure, quiet island bliss. Hunt for seashells on the beach, or chow down on chicken wings at the Lazy Flamingo.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 24—May 1

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sunset South #2D 2/2 $525K.

3 price changes: Mariner Pointe #813 2/2 now $459K, Blind Pass #G203 2/2 now $490K, Seascape #201 3/3 now $1.795M.

3 new sales: Lighthouse Point #231 2/2 listed for $670K, Lighthouse Point #323 3/2 listed for $899K, Nutmeg Village #214 2/2 listed for $995K.

2 closed sales: Lighthouse Point #132 2/2 $475K, Sundial #E408 2/2 $875K.

HOMES

8 new listings: 1744 Bunting Ln 4/2 $649K, 588 Boulder Dr 3/2.5 $795K, 1251 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $824.9K (short sale), 557 N Yachtsman Dr 4/3 $849K, 236 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 $879K, 660 Oliva St 3/2 $950K, 2540 Coconut Dr 4/3.5 $979K, 750 Periwinkle Way 4/4 $1.998M.

8 price changes: 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $599.65K; 420 East Gulf Dr 3/3 now $719K; 1528 Angel Dr 3/2 now $749K; 5424 Shearwater Dr 3/2.5 half-duplex now $795K; 518 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $998.5K; 1224 Par View Dr 3/3 now $1.099M, 1137 Golden Olive Ct 5/3.5 now $2.175M; 5615 Baltusrol Ct 4/4/3 now $3,999,999.

6 new sales: 2220 Camino Del Mar Dr 3/3 listed for $599K, 238 Southwinds Dr 3/2 listed for $625K, 1755 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 listed for $699K, 395 Old Trail Rd 5/4 listed for $815K, 1101 Schooner Pl 3/2.5 listed for $1.189M, 375 East Gulf Dr 4/3 listed for $1.395M.

7 closed sales: 1938 Roseate Ln 3/2 $325K, 744 Martha’s Ln 2/2 $449K (our listing, photo below), 1691 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex $469K, 1228 Anhinga Ln 3/2 $570K, 543 Chert Ct 3/2 $630K, 5880 Sanibel Captiva Rd 3/2 $865K, 1331 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $891K.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sales: 223 Robinwood Cir listed for $195K.

2 closed sales: 2324 Starfish Ln $425K, 4334 West Gulf Dr $850K.

Captiva

CONDOS

3 new listings: Beach Villas #2422 1/1 $539K, Beach Homes 37 2/2 $1.795M, Beach Homes #8 3/3 $2.7M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5144 1/2 listed for $299.5K.

1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1601 2/2 $1.225M.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

2 closed sales: 16249 Captiva Dr 3/2.5 $2.025M, 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 $2.175M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Best wishes for a great weekend, SanibelSusan (Susan Andrews)

Friday on Sanibel: Real Estate, Ospreys, Earth Day, GoMLS, & more

Posted on April 17, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It is SanibelSusan reporting the end of another week of terrific Florida weather. Traffic on Sanibel and Captiva Islands has subsided a little, but the islands remain fairly busy. The good news is the locals again are talking about being able to get in at restaurants without much of a wait. It also appears that most of the buyers returning to view property now are serious! Yay!

I missed chatting with client/friends from California who stopped in at the office last Saturday while I was writing an offer. While they were talking to Lisa, Scott gave me the AOK to share his recent osprey photos in my blog. So thank you, Scott.

SanibelSusan Realty Happenings

The SanibelSusan Team and I are happy to report that we had a nice closing yesterday, one of those where we had to go find the property as none were for sale in that particular complex. Big shout-out to Arika at VIP for coming to our rescue on that one. Picture below of the view at Gulfside Place #318.

Though it does not happen often at this time of the year, Dave, Elise, Lisa, and I have all been on listing presentations this week. Good to know that some fresh listings may be coming on the market this summer.

Over the last couple of days, I also have been negotiating several offers. Some are still cooking and one has been accepted verbally. They include offers coming in on our listings and a couple that I have written. That confirms, it has been a busy week!

With at least two new listings coming our way, all-in-all, it was yet another productive week for SanibelSusan Realty and good to see island good real estate action continuing during the time we often refer to as the “shoulder” period. More buyers are coming over the weekend too. Over the next few days, Dave and I both will be out showing property.

Good Multiple Listing Service activity was posted over the last seven days as shown below. First a couple of news items:

SanCapGoMLS

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service has announced a new mobile app. “SanCapGoMLS”, designed for use on smart phones/tablets, zeroes in on the user’s location and identifies properties for sale in the surrounding area. It also can perform quick property searches for any listings in the MLS. The user specifies the search criteria and the results are immediate, mapped, and with all the photos.

If you’d like us to email you a link so you can install the app too, just send me a quick email (Susan@SanibelSusan.com) or text message (239-565-3128). It’s free!

Fun to use too, if you are one of those folks who wonders about the details of a property when you see a “for sale” sign. Of course, the database also contains properties for sale in the communities that do not allow signs too. So get all the scoop about all the listings with SanCapGoMLS. It’s a great tool.

Celebrate Earth Day Tomorrow at J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge

Join in the celebration tomorrow at the “Ding” Darling Refuge where Wildlife Drive is FREE to hikers and bikers from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. From 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. FREE bike rentals will be provided by Tarpon Bay Explorers (pick the bikes up at Tarpon Bay Explorers’ location). Earth Day mascot “Bagzilla” will make appearances throughout the earth-friendly day and free program. Click here for flier.

Real Estate Likely to Ride a 3-Year Wave

Here’s a positive article from last Friday’s “Daily Real Estate News”, sourced to “Urban Land Institute”:

“The real estate industry is expected to strengthen this year and continue to get stronger through 2017, according to a new report released from the Urban Land Institute Center for Capital Markets and Real Estate, which is based on a survey of the industry’s top economists and analysts.

“Survey respondents said that the residential, single-family housing sector remains in recovery mode and economists predict that housing starts will rise from 647,000 in 2014 to 700,000 in 2015; to 815,000 in 2016; and 900,000 by the end of 2017.

“Economists predict that existing home prices will rise through 2017 — rising 5% this year; another 4% in 2016; and by 4% in 2017.

“”In summary, almost all U.S. real estate participants would be very pleased if the future unfolded as predicted by the ULI consensus forecast,” says ULI leader William Maher, director of North American strategy for LaSalle Investment Management in Baltimore. “The forecast represents almost the perfect combination of strong economic and property market fundamentals, combined with an orderly wind-down of monetary stimulus.”

“Although an economic downturn could throw off these predictions, as well as interest rate spikes or oversupplies, “real estate pros predict three more years of smooth sailing for U.S. real estate,” Maher adds.

Survey respondents were also upbeat with their forecasts for the commercial market, including:

Office sector: Respondents expect rental rates in office space to rise 4% this year, 4.1% in 2016, and 3.5% in 2017.
Apartments: Respondents expect rental rates continue to push upward, rising by 3.5% in 2015, 3% in 2016, and 2.7% in 2017.
Retail: Analysts expect that rental rates in the retail sector to rise by 2% in 2015, 3% in 2016, and 2.9% in 2017.
Industrial/warehouse: Analysts expect rental rates in the warehouse sector to rise by 4% this year, 3.8% in 2016, and 3.1% in 2017.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 10-17

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #353 2/2 $499K (our listing), Nutmeg Village #214 2/2 $995K.

View from Loggerhead Cay #353

5 price changes: Captains Walk #C7 1/1 now $229.9K, Spanish Cay #C5 2/2 now $369.9K, Tarpon Beach #204 2/2 now $750K, Sundial #F201 2/2 now $769K, Sanddollar #A104 2/2 now $799K.

4 new sales: Sundial #F303 2/2 listed for $495K, Sundial #R304 2/2 listed for $799K, Dosinia #2B listed for $1.299M, Seascape #205 3/3 listed for $1.849M.

5 closed sales: Sunset South #9D 2/2 $360K, Sanibel Arms West #L5 2/2 $500K, Gulf Beach #102 2/2 $695K, Gulfside Place #318 2/2 $1.25M (our buyer), Beachcomber #C102 2/2 $1.5275M.

HOMES

No new listings.

4 price changes: 778 Cardium St 3/3 now $449K, 2984 Island Inn Rd 3/2 now $619K, 4620 Rue Bayou 3/3 now $899K, 904 Almas Ct 3/2.5 now $1.045M.

5 new sales: 750 Martha’s Ln 3/2 listed for $579K, 1445 Causey Ct 3/2 listed for $849.9K, 757 Windlass Way 3/2.5 listed for $1.149M, 1138 Harbour Cottage Ct 3/2.5 listed for $1.195M, 428 Bella Vista Way E 4/4 listed for $1.695M.

8 closed sales: 2621 Sanibel Captiva Rd 3/2 $247K, 702 Donax St 2/2 $370K, 1712/1714 Sand Pebble Way 4/2 duplex $389K, 1347 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $500K, 2596 Roosevelt Pl 3/2 $665K, 732 Durion Ct 3/2 $700K, 625 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 $748K, 5721 Sanibel Captiva Rd 3/3/2 $1.3M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 4538 Bowen Bayou Rd $299K.

1 price change: 1310 Par View Dr now $359,555.

1 new sale: 1336 Eagle Run Dr listed for $245K.

1 closed sale: 3792 Coquina Dr $305K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Homes #19 3/3 listed for $2.695M.

2 closed sales: Beach Villa II #2418 2/2 $630K, Lands End Village #1606 3/3 $1.85M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 1105 Tallow Tree Ct 3/3 half-duplex now $2.15M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 16183 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 $2.785M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 16970 Captiva Dr listed for $2.995M.

No closed sales.

Until next Friday, when I hope we have more good news to report,

Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan)

More Real Estate Sales This Week on Sanibel Island

Posted on March 27, 2015 by SanibelSusan

With Easter next weekend, “high season” on the islands is nearly over. Steady real estate sales were posted again this week making some Realtors® wonder what inventory will be left to sell through the summer. Yes, plenty of inventory remains in many complexes and subdivisions, but the in-demand water-view and near-beach homes are moving, as are large high-end condos.

After a few news items below is a summary of the activity posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service this week. First a summary of the Sanibel sales activity this year, compared to 2014 and the current inventory.

Prospective sellers, usually those who bought in the “peak” (i.e. 2006), often ask how the market has rebounded as compared to when they purchased. Price-wise, the market is back to somewhere between 2004 and 2005 (when the market was rising) or about 2008 (as it was declining). In a nutshell, property values are coming back nicely. Volume-wise on Sanibel, the 73 condo, 128 home, and 21 lot sales posted this year are huge increases in units sold. That’s what has some Realtors® worried.

Captiva’s smaller inventory has not seen the same increased level of activity, but I bet it comes later in the year.

SANIBEL CONDOS HOMES LOTS

No. Price DOM No. Price DOM No. Price DOM

For sale 111 $729,019 364 139 $1,445,729 227 78 $476,635 765

Sales pending 32 $791,600 352 65 $903,405 195 12 $513,038 449

Sold & closed:

1/1-3/27/2015 41 $726,982 373 63 $904,342 309 9 $314,433 356

1/1-3/27/2014 32 $717,964 208 50 $771,469 299 6 $386,592 633

NOTE: Prices & DOM (days on market) are averages.

Upcoming Sanibel Capital Improvements Projects

With the on-site of “off-season”, at Sanibel’s Capital Improvements Review subcommittee meeting this week, several ongoing and upcoming projects were discussed and approved. Here are just three of the several that were mentioned in the “Island Sun” today:

Lighthouse Beach restroom construction is under way.
Bowman’s Beach shared-use path project will install a pathway from San-Cap Road to the beach park. Expected completion just after July 4.
Two intersection improvements (Periwinkle Way/Casa Ybel Road and Tarpon Bay Road/Island Inn Road) are in the planning design phase. Construction to be completed by end of November.

Why Age 61 Is Important to Real Estate

This was posted on Realtor®Mag on-line last Saturday:

“By age 61, the majority of people feel free to choose where they most want to live, according to a new study by Merrill Lynch, “Home in Retirement: More Freedom, New Choices.” “Throughout most of people’s lives, where they live is determined by their responsibilities,” according to the report. “Most careers demand that people live within a reasonable commuting distance from where they and/or their spouse work. However, as people enter their 50s and 60s, they begin to cross what this study reveals to be the ‘Freedom Threshold.'” That’s the age when people say they can finally choose where they want to live, according to the survey of more than 3,600 retirees.

“Indeed, two-thirds of the retirees surveyed say they are now living in the best home of their lives. Most retirees move at least once during retirement. But surprisingly, only half choose to downsize into a smaller home. Three in ten of retirees decide to upsize into a larger home. The top reason to upsize: They want to have a home that’s comfortable enough for family members to visit and stay with them, according to the survey. “Retirees often find their homes become places for family to come together and reconnect, particularly during holidays or summer vacations,” according to the report. Some choose to upsize so that family members can live with them too.

“Retirees say the ideal place allows spending time with others their own age yet they also seek to be around those of diverse ages. Compared to younger people, older Americans are far more likely to want diversity in age and generation among their communities and neighbors. As such, just 7% of retirees surveyed have opted to move into age-restricted retirement communities.”

NAR Takes the Global Stage at Cannes

Posted in Broker Issues, Commercial Real Estate, by Wendy Cole on March 12, 2015, this article talks about how Realtors® are expanding into the international market. Cynthia Shelton, Florida Realtors® 2009 President, and others from Florida were in attendance.

“The improving U.S. economy and strengthening dollar provided a welcoming backdrop for the National Association of REALTORS®’ first foray to the major global real estate exposition known as MIPIM held this week in Cannes, Frances. More than 21,000 attendees from 93 countries have gathered to explore global investment opportunities at the trade show.

“The eye-catching 1,200 square-foot NAR-U.S. Pavilion highlighted the association’s commitment to global commercial interests while raising awareness about top markets for foreign investment in the United States. The pavilion showcased three robust U.S. markets that are internationally-recognized for their success in attracting foreign investment: Miami, Chicago, and Birmingham, AL. “There are quite a lot of connections to be made here at MIPIM,” said NAR Treasurer Mike McGrew, who is part of NAR’s delegation at the show.

“Attendee Cynthia Shelton, a commercial practitioner with Colliers International from Orlando, FL and current Committee Liaison to the NAR Leadership Team was energized about the NAR’s presence at the show. “This is going to make the U.S.A. the place to be, to invest in even more than it is now,” she said, in an interview from a MIPIM broadcast on YouTube. “REALTORS® represent the boots on the ground. We’re hoping to bring more investors to the U.S. to invest in things like office buildings, residential developments, and retail. When investments happen, cities give credits, get more taxes, and allow us to develop better projects which helps our schools and employers.”

“The wide range of countries at the show— from Belgium to Brazil— is generating considerable buzz. “Governments have invested large sums to attract attention from buyers, developers, and interested parties,” said Christopher Zoller, CRS, and 2015 residential president of the Miami Association of REALTORS®. “We are getting lots of inquiries here from people looking for investors or investments, developers or developments, small personal purchases or large scale opportunities. It is exciting to see the global scale of real estate excitement.”… NAR’s presence at the show has broadened awareness of the role of REALTORS® in commercial and global real estate. Approximately 70,000 NAR members offer commercial brokerage and related services. An additional 283,000 members are involved in a combination of residential and commercial work.”

Foreclosure Rates Near a ‘Significant Milestone’

Realtor®Mag on-line Tuesday posted this article which is sourced to “RealtyTrac”. Florida continues to have a significant number of foreclosures, but has seen a 35% decrease since last year.

“Foreclosures continue to fall across the country and the return to normal levels may be on the horizon for many places, according to a new report. Foreclosure filings fell 4% in February, reaching the lowest level since July 2006, according to RealtyTrac’s U.S. Foreclosure Market Report. Foreclosure filings reflect the number of default notices, scheduled auctions, and bank repossessions. The U.S. foreclosure rate now stands at one in every 1,295 homes that received a foreclosure filing in February.

“”Given that August 2006 was the peak of the housing bubble, this eight-and-a-half year low in foreclosure activity is a significant milestone and a sign that nationwide foreclosure activity is on track to return to historic norms this year — and is possibly even headed below historic norms given the skinny-jeans-tight lending standards over the past five years,” says Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac. “In markets where foreclosures were processed more efficiently we are seeing foreclosure numbers now below pre-crisis levels in some cases. Conversely, the cleanup of deferred distress is continuing in markets where a logjam of in-limbo foreclosures is still lingering from the housing crisis — as evidenced by rebounding foreclosure activity in those markets.”

“24 states posted year-over-year increases in foreclosure activity. Activity was most elevated in Massachusetts (up 53% year-over-year) and New York, up 19%.

“The following states posted the nation’s highest foreclosure rates:

Maryland: 1 in every 564 housing units received a foreclosure filing in February (foreclosure activity has fallen 1 percent compared to a year ago there, however)
Nevada: 1 in every 569 homes received a foreclosure filing (a 12% rise from a year ago mostly from a rise in foreclosure starts)
Florida: 1 in every 570 housing units (despite a 35% decrease in foreclosure activity compared to a year ago)
Indiana: 1 in every 871 housing units
Idaho: 1 in every 877 housing units
New Jersey: 1 in every 895 housing units
Illinois: 1 in every 906 housing units
Delaware: 1 in every 957 housing units
Ohio: 1 in every 1,000 housing units
North Carolina: 1 in every 1,088 housing units”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity Mar 20-27

Sanibel

CONDOS

6 new listings: Dugger’s Tropical Cottages #2 1/1 $329K, Sundial #C207 1/1 $429K, Seawind #A106 2/2.5 $479K, Mariner Pointe #842 2/2 $499K (our listing), Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 $639K, Sundial #K102 2/2 $839K.

(A few photos from Mariner Pointe below. 1st one is the view toward bay from #842, 2nd one is the view toward the canal. Others are some of the water-front amenities. There is a 2nd pool, on-site manager, & deeded beach access too.)

1 price change: Tigua Cay #489 3/3.5 now $2.495M.

7 new sales: Sunset South #9D 2/2 listed for $399K, Sanibel Moorings #1622 2/2 listed for $439K, Lighthouse Point #132 2/2 listed for $497K, Sanibel Siesta #308 2/2 listed for $500K, Sealoft Village #105 2/2 listed for $529K, Blind Pass #G105 3/3 listed for $769K, Sanibel Surfside #211 2/2 listed for $798K.

5 closed sales: Donax Village #8 2/2 $449K, Loggerhead Cay #411 2/2 $475K, Sanibel Arms West #B5 2/2 $492K, Lighthouse Point #215 3/2 $522.5K, Atrium #204 2/2 $1.3M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 3364 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 $819K, 5402 Osprey Ct 4/3 $985K, 1245 Isabel Dr 3/3.5 $1.749M, 5125 Joewood Dr 3/3 $3.195M.

8 price changes: 3724 Agate Ct 2/2 now $549K, 9012 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $599K, 1409 Causey Ct 3/3 now $599K, 4648 Buck Key Rd 3/2 now $679K, 1173 Kittiwake Cir 4/2 now $699.9K, 428 Bella Vista Way E 4/4 now $1.695M, 6017/6019 Clam Bayou Ln 4/3 now $1.775M, 5615 Baltusrol Ct 4/4/3 now $4.25M.

13 new sales: 1452 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex listed for $330K, 744 Martha’s Ln 2/2 listed for $479K (our listing), 1825 Ardsley Way 3/2 listed for $515K, 475 Sea Walk Ct 3/2 lissted for $524.9K, 9446 Beverly Ln 3/3.5 listed for $595K (short sale), 1228 Anhinga Ln 3/2 listed for $598.5K, 963 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed for $599.9K, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 listed for $629K, 543 Chert Ct 3/2 listed for $639K, 547 Chert Ct 3/2.5 listed for $695K, 603 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 listed for $670K, 3968 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed for $699K, 1173 Kittiwake Cir 4/2 listed for $699.9K, 5402 Osprey Ct 4/3 listed for $985K, 2980 Wulfert Rd 4/6.5 listed for $2.995M.

9 closed sales: 317 East Gulf Dr 2/2 half-duplex $415K, 315 East Gulf Dr 3/2 half-duplex $425K, 1294 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $480K, 590 Lake Murex Cir 2/1.5 $635K, 297 Ferry Landing Dr 3/3 $1.2M, 600 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2.5 $1.275M, 960 Whelk Dr 3/3 $1.83M, 4204 Dingman Dr 5/4.5 $1.85M, 461 Lighthouse Way 4/4 $1.995M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 1310 Par View Dr now $369,555.

1 new sale: 6419 Pine Ave listed for $799K.

1 closed sale: 2380 Wulfert Rd $190K.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Bayside Villas #5106 1/2 $289K, Marina Villas #902 2/2 $650K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Lands End Village #1606 3/3 listed for $1.85M.

2 closed sales: Lands End Village #1610 3/3 $1.785M, Lands End Village #1606 3/3/3 $2M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 15843 Captiva Dr 3/3 $6.45M.

3 price changes: 16785 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 now $1.55M, 11523 Wightman Ln 4/4 now $1.999M, 16910 Captiva Dr 4/4 now $4.72M.

No new sales.

3 closed sales: 16585 Captiva Dr 5/4/2 $2.5M, 15747 Captiva Dr 6/6.5 $5.575M, 17020 Captiva Dr 7/8/2 $5.9M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 856 S Seas Plantation Rd now $2.48M.

No new or closed sales.

Until next Friday, best wishes for a great weekend! Susan Andrews/aka SanibelSusan

Sanibel Scoop & Captiva Chatter

SanibelSusan's Blog About What's Happening on the Islands

Tag Archives: Real estate

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