Memorial Day Weekend 2015 on Sanibel/Captiva Islands

Posted on May 22, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s already another Friday with Sanibel and Captiva Islands gearing up for a holiday weekend. Our phones at SanibelSusan Realty have been quiet today, but those coming from off-island this morning remarked that there were families staking out spots on the causeway as early as 7:30 a.m.

Below are a couple of cell phone photos snapped this afternoon. It’s that time of the year when the sky is bright blue and the gulf is bright blue-green – gorgeous! These were taken at the Fulgur Street beach access between Compass Point and Sanibel Siesta.

At SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Our listings had few inquiries and showing requests this week, probably related to a slowdown in traffic, but with a home closing on Monday, us assisting clients in town doing due diligence and inspections, and another closing coming up early next week, we have stayed busy.

Teammate Dave has heading out to show a condo, while Elise finalizes her weekly report of the activity posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service which follows some news items below.

Wednesday was the annual island Association of Realtors® RPAC fundraiser at The Sanctuary. Dave played in the afternoon golf scramble, while I attended the event after work which included both silent and live auctions.

Talley in process for total funds raised. I know my checkbook has another good dent in it. The Sanibel/Captiva goal is to win five of the five state awards this year.

Because of the RPAC event, there was no caravan yesterday, but there will be one next week. Always interesting this time of the year to see if there are any new listings. We have one in the works.

Save Sea Turtles

It is sea turtle nesting time, so worth a repeat of the below info that was contained in a May 1, 2015 flier that accompanied City mail last week:

“Turn Off Lights & Close Curtains/Blinds After Dark – Hatchling sea turtles are guided to the ocean by an instinct to travel away from the dark silhouettes of the dune vegetation and toward the brightest horizon – light from the sky reflecting off the ocean. Artificial light near the beach can deter females from nesting and disorient hatchling sea turtles. Most hatchlings that wander inland die of exhaustion, dehydration or predation. Local ordinances in effect year-‘round prohibit BOTH interior and exterior lights from illuminating the beach.

“PROBLEM: Interior lighting sources including chandeliers, lamps, and other fixtures that are visible from the beachfront. Unshielded interior lighting, even from just a single beachfront condominium, resort unit, or residence, is enough to disrupt the normal sea-finding behavior of sea turtle hatchlings. SOLUTION: Close curtains and blinds or turn off lights after dark.

“PROBLEM: Exterior lighting sources including flood lights, porch, ceiling fan lights, parking area lights, and other fixtures that are visible from or directly, indirectly, or cumulatively illuminate the beach. SOLUTION: Shield or turn off outdoor lights near or facing the beach. Replace the light source with a low-wattage yellow or amber bulb.

“PROBLEM: Portable lighting sources including flashlights, lanterns, or flash photography. SOLUTION: Avoid using flashlights, lanterns, or flash photography while on the beach at night. Cover the lens of your flashlight with red cellophane to make it less disruptive to sea turtles.

“For more information regarding sea turtles on Sanibel or the City’s beachfront lighting regulations, please visit the City’s website at http://www.mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources/Protecting-Our-Beaches/Sea-Turtles….”

Sea Turtles & Gopher Turtles – Big Difference

With so much in the news about sea turtle nesting, it was with interest that I saw the following posting this week on the Facebook group page called “Beautiful Sanibel Island”.

I messaged the author, Kelly Everette Householder, who agreed to share her thoughts here too. Thank you, Kelly!

“Friends of this page – I want to relate a story that happened on the beach yesterday. My husband and I were sitting in our chairs at the water’s edge just enjoying the day. There was a small commotion behind us. There was a kind old gentleman who had found a “turtle”. He placed it at the waters edge but it tried to crawl toward the beach so this man thought to “help” the turtle by carrying it out past the second sandbar and letting it go.

“Although we did not get a good look at the animal, we became convinced that it was not a sea turtle but instead a small tortoise. The man returned from his rescue and walked off down the beach. My husband and I and another family watched as this “turtle” floated and swam. My husband swam out and got him and brought him back to the beach. Sure enough it was a gopher tortoise as we had suspected. Hubby took him over the dunes and released him back to his habitat.

“I post this to educate people the difference between a tortoise and a sea turtle. The biggest difference that is obvious is sea turtles have flippers (or fins) while land turtles have claws for digging. (See pictures below. Sea turtle in top photo, gopher tortoise on bottom.) Other differences include shape of the shell and color. I know this man thought he was doing a good deed but we should all remember that wildlife does not first and foremost need our human help except in rare instances such as what my hubby did. If you see an island animal in danger please call the authorities (i.e. C.R.O.W., or even the Sanibel Police Dept).

“We have been coming to this island for 22 years and have raised our children to love and respect the wildlife here. I’m saddened by several things I have seen on this trip. A man sailing sand dollars like Frisbees and a young mother who swatted a young child’s hand after he picked up a tiny crab to show her. We have seen people leaving the poles to their umbrellas on the beach overnight and even after being tagged for it continuing to do so. I guess they thought they were special and did not have to follow the laws that the rest of us follow every day. And finally, the people who came from the public park next to our complex and set up camp at the end of the beach in front of our building and proceeded to help themselves to our pool. I have been amazed and disheartened by the lack of respect to nature and mankind in general.

“I’m not sure all the awards and advertising is a good thing for our island sanctuary. This truly is not a beach for everyone. If you are looking for white, pristine beaches with absolutely nothing on them but people please go to one of the many other beaches in Florida that can accommodate the average beach-goer.

“Please come to Sanibel to enjoy the preserved and as unspoiled as possible flora and fauna that we all appreciate so much. Keep in mind that our beaches have many, many shells that can hurt your feet. There are shell casings, driftwood and numerous washed up items on the beaches. Our beaches are not groomed to look like a perfect photograph. We find that real nature provides a much more beautiful picture. Enjoy it but leave only footprints!”

Summer Vacation Bookings

At lunch today with pal David Schuldenfrei and his wife, Roberta, we talked about how our business stayed busy longer this year and how this is the first week that the phones have noticeably stopped ringing. David manages VIP Vacation Rentals and sells real estate here too. He remarked with another “first” when he said, “Of VIP’s many weekly vacation rental properties, fewer than 35 are available for any week between now and the end of August.” With schools not out yet, he said that is a new record, probably related to the recent announcement that Sanibel is the nation’s top family vacation destination.

Soooo, if you know anyone looking for a vacation rental here this summer, better suggest that they get those reservations made now!

City of Sanibel Hurricane Seminar for 2015 Season

Next Friday, May 29, from 1 to 3 p.m., the City of Sanibel will sponsor the 2015 Hurricane Seminar to educate residents, property owners, business owners, and island workers. The seminar is free and will be held at BIG ARTS at 900 Dunlop Road. Sanibel hurricane re-entry permits will be available for residents and businesses. For requirements, visit the Police Department section of the City website www.mysanibel.com. (The 2012 hurricane re-entry passes still are valid and in use.)

Economists Revise Housing Forecasts

Here is a little change in the forecast as posted today on Realtor®Mag’s “DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS” on line:

“Economic growth is expected to moderate for the rest of the year, but housing is one sector that is expected to post solid gains, according to Fannie Mae’s newly released report from its Economic & Strategic Research Group.

“Economists with mortgage giant Freddie Mac also released a report this week revising housing forecasts upward for the remainder of the year. Economists expect that with tight for-sale inventories home prices will rise 4.5% this year, revised up from 4% in a prior report.

“”The labor market has added 5 million additional jobs, the unemployment rate is significantly lower, and housing markets are generally in much better condition than two years ago,” says Len Kiefer, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac.

“Fannie Mae economists note that mortgage applications for home purchases –a gauge of home sales — have moved up consistently for the past couple of months.

“”While refinance applications have recently pulled back, the actual volume of both purchase and refinance originations earlier in the year came in stronger than we had projected,” says Doug Duncan, Fannie Mae’s chief economist. As such, Fannie Mae economists have raised their mortgage origination forecast to $1.46 trillion for this year

“”We are seeing positive developments in the housing space, supporting our forecast of moderate but broad-based improvement in 2015 compared to last year,” Duncan says.

“The wild card for the market may be what happens with mortgage rates in the next few months. Low mortgage rates have helped to keep homebuyer affordability high in the first quarter of this year, but housing markets will likely see an increase in interest rates for the remainder of year, Freddie Mac economists note.

“”For the remainder of this year, we’re likely to continue to see these mortgage rate swings as market participants try to anticipate Fed timing around rising short term interest rates,” says Kiefer. “Unfortunately, perspective home buyers may experience bouts of affordability shock in many housing markets. So far it’s been low mortgage rates that have helped to keep homebuyer affordability strong in the face of rising house prices, while income growth remains stagnant.””

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 15-22

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sundial #B408 1/1 $465K, Island Beach Club #F230 2/2 $649K, Sandalfoot #4C3 2/2 $699K, Junonia #210 3/2 1.195M.

3 price changes: Sanibel Arms #E7 1/1 now $339K, Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 now $639K, Seascape #301 3/3 now $1.28M.

4 new sales: Duggers #2 1/1 listed for $329K, Sundial #H109 1/1 listed for $339K, Sundial #J401 1/1 listed for $499K, Sandpiper Beach #504 2/2 listed for $669K.

6 closed sales: Captains Walk #A2 1/1 $205K, Sealoft Village #105 2/2 $450K, Nutmeg Village #304 2/2 $600K, Sanibel Surfside #211 2/2 $759K, Lantana #102 4/3.5 $1.325M, Seascape #105 3/3 $1.75M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 2451 Blind Pass Ct 3/4.5 $2.41M, 1238 Isabel Dr 5/3/3 $3.97M.

5 price changes: 450 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $539K, 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $598.9K, 987 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 now $675K, 420 East Gulf Dr 3/3 now $709K, 1065 Fish Crow Rd 2/2 now $749.9K.

3 new sales: 2407 Shop Rd 2/1 listed for $299K, 1409 Causey Ct 3/3 listed for $599K, 4203 Dingman Dr 4/3 listed for $2.695M.

12 closed sales: 1452 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex $320K, 868 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $350K, 659 Donax St 2/2 $475K (our Seller), 3168 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 $530K, 603 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $640K, 8999 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 $755K, 228 Hurricane Ln 3/2.5 $775K, 395 Old Trail Rd 5/4 $800K, 1056 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $835K, 190 Violet Dr 3/2.5 $995K, 1138 Harbour Cottage Ct 3/2.5 $1.05M, 2720 Coconut Rd 3/3.5 $1.5M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 1304 Eagle Run Dr now $219K.

1 new sale: 3354 Barra Cir listed for $319K.

3 closed sales: 1332 Eagle Run Dr $242.5K, 643 East Rocks Dr $300K, 2494 Blind Pass Ct $600K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

2 price changes: Beach Villas #2322 1/1 now $499K; Captiva Bay Villas #B 3/3.5 now $1,895,555.

No new sales.

2 closed sales: Sunset Beach Villas #2237 2/2 $670K, Sunset Beach Villas #2335 3/3 $755K.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 16464 Captiva Dr 8/8.5 now $7.699M.

1 new sale: 1131 Longifolia Ct 4/4 listed for $3.69M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

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

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to all! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Early May Happenings on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on May 8, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan reporting that for early May, there is a surprising amount of real estate activity on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. This week, The SanibelSusan Team had a nice closing on Tuesday, fielded a few inquiries, had a handful of showings, fulfilled several action items on upcoming closings – including attending two home inspections, and even got to work on a couple of offers.

After a couple of news items below is the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

How about all those closings? It is amazing that there were not only 13 Sanibel home closings, but also 13 new sales over the last few days. Similarly with Sanibel condos, there were seven closings and six new sales. Today there are just 97 Sanibel condos for sale. Near-beach homes remain the favored product, but it is the first time since before Hurricane Charlie in 2004, that I remember condo inventory being under 100.

I bet it’s going to be a busy summer too!

Sanibel on “Today Show”

The talk of the islands this week was the segment slated to be on The Today Show yesterday. Sanibel was declared the best family-friendly spot in the U.S. and the top tourist town on NBC’s Today Show. My blog mentioned the results of “FamilyFun” magazine’s survey that put Sanibel No. 1 back in March. Then the results appeared in the April issue of the magazine. The FamilyFun list went to the next level when it was aired yesterday morning on “Today” in a segment hosted by Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb. If you are wondering about the complete list of the top ten, they are:

Sanibel
Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, Washington
Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum, Washington
Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium, Omaha, NE
Children’s Museum of Indianapolis, IN
Gatlinburg, TN
Savannah, GA
St. Augustine, FL
Mackinac Island State Park, Mackinac Island, MI
St. Louis, MO, Zoo.

Maybe that publicity will ensure a busy summer. If you missed it, here is the video:

http://www.today.com/video/4-family-friendly-travel-destinations-for-the-summer-441449027688

Workshop on Island Traffic

With all these accolades come more people, so it was good to read in the “Santiva Chronicle” that Sanibel City Council will hold a workshop at 9 a.m. Monday, June 1, at City Hall to address the island’s traffic, considered by most to be the major issue facing Sanibel.

“Mayor Kevin Ruane presented a brief outline he has prepared to take on traffic problems at the regular monthly meeting of the City Council, Tuesday, May 5, at City Hall and it will be used as a basis at the workshop. “Traffic management is an issue,” Ruane said. “It is important enough to revisit this subject once again.” Ruane included in Tuesday’s meeting agenda 50 documents involving various aspects of traffic dating back to 1988. It amounted to 2,671 pages. “There is some good data here, and there is some that is outdated,” Ruane said. “We have just put this list together and I or no one else has had time to read all 2,000 pages. But this data provides a good starting point. “We will go over expectations,” Ruane said. “We won’t promote false expectations about what we can and cannot do.” “This is a good starting point,” Vice-Mayor Mick Denham said. “The process you have defined is a great idea.” “I appreciate your remarks over expectations,” Councilman Chauncey Goss said. “There is no silver bullet on this island when it comes to traffic and nobody should be led to believe there is.”

“I support this session (workshop) if it doesn’t turn into a gripe session,” Councilman Jim Jennings said. “I understand some of that is necessary.”

“The June 1 workshop will be held just ahead of the monthly council meeting on June 2. The council cannot vote on anything at the workshop. “We can’t vote, but we can frame in what I hope is a free-flowing type of workshop,” Ruane said. Following the workshop, the council also will hold a joint workshop with the Planning Commission on June 9.”

Upcoming Events

May 16 – Sanibel School Fund Blue Ribbon Classic at the Sanctuary Golf Club begins at 11:30 a.m. with 12:30 p.m. shotgun start. Proceeds pay for a language arts instructor, software, technology and sound equipment and musical instruments, and upgrades in classrooms that give students an advantage at the nationally acclaimed school. The Sanibel School serves approximately 375 students in kindergarten through 8^th grade on Sanibel and Captiva. It has been awarded a Blue Ribbon through the U.S. Department of Education’s National Blue Ribbon School program, which recognizes educational institutions where students achieve overall academic excellence or for success in closing academic gaps. The school has earned an “A” rating from the Department of Education for the past dozen years.

May 20 – Ride of Silence is a worldwide event that takes place each year at 7 p.m. on the third Wednesday of May to honor bicyclists who have been in accidents & to raise awareness on sharing the road. Hosted by Matzaluna Italian Restaurant, riders are encouraged to arrive for a short educational program at 6:15 p.m. The ride begins at 7 p.m., crosses over the first two bridges of the causeway, around the turn-around under the main span, returning to Matzaluna.

As Luxury Market Soars, A Moment for Concern

This article was posted in late April on Realtor®Mag Blogs under “Speaking of Real Estate””

“Exceptional growth has been the storyline of the luxury real estate market the past few years. No other price segment has rebounded from the housing crash with as much gusto as that of million-dollar-plus homes, which are selling at twice the historical average. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, home sales above $1 million in 2014 grew nearly 9% over 2013 — more than double any other price point. And the conservative expectation is that luxury sales will at least repeat that performance this year. Nearly every major city — if not all of them — shattered its record for most expensive residential sale in the last year, and each one has a listing today that, if purchased at asking price, would break it again.

“There’s no doubt the industry has a lot to celebrate because of the roaring success on the top end of sales. But underneath that fanfare appears to be a little bit of nervousness that only a few will openly — or even hesitantly — admit. Is the upward trajectory of high-end sales and prices rising too fast?

“At the Asian Real Estate Association of America’s Global & Luxury Summit in Chicago this week, the theme was clearly that real estate professionals should jump on the opportunities presented by the soaring luxury market. The conference was mostly tips for how to enter the high end of your local market and serve wealthy buyers’ needs, as well as the outlook for luxury sales going forward. It was on this latter point that a few glimmers of concern shown through at various sessions.

“During a presentation by top luxury producers around the county, the panel was asked by an audience member where they thought the luxury market was going in the future. Craig Hogan, director of Coldwell Banker Previews International in Chicago, answered this way: “We want to see the luxury market go up, but we don’t want to see it go up so fast that then it drops. We hope it keeps doing what it’s doing without a bunch of spikes.”

“On the same panel, Robert Canberg, a salesperson with Nest Seekers International in the Hamptons on Long Island, said his tony area’s average sales price last quarter was around $2 million, up more than 30% year-over-year. Another panelist, Ivan Sher, partner-broker with the Shapiro & Sher Group in Las Vegas, said the number of home sales above $1 million in the city was 19 in January of this year alone, up from 8 in January 2012.

These are, of course, market conditions in only two areas, but against a sea of headlines proclaiming an unprecedented heating-up of luxury sales around the country – San Francisco, Atlanta, Nashville, Boston, Miami — it’s clear that the spikes are already beginning to happen. What no one knows is if or when the drop will come. That’s incredibly difficult to predict.

“However, another potentially alarming bit of information: During the opening general session at the AREAA summit, NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun said that the rising value of the dollar could make foreign buyers pull back on real estate purchases in the U.S. Foreign buyers have been responsible for a large percentage of high-end sales in these years of the fast-and-furious recovery of the luxury market. If they go away, are there enough buyers here who can sustain the price growth?

“Even realtor.com® Chief Economist Jonathan Smoke showed a slide pinpointing the correlation between the U.S. dollar and home-buying demand from international buyers. Beginning in November of last year, the dollar took a sharp turn upward in value, and at the same time, the number of non-U.S. visitors to realtor.com® drastically declined. Pair that with Yun’s statement at the conference that “there is still some uncertainty and risk consideration about where the U.S. is currently. It’s not necessarily the best of times,” he said, noting that GDP growth in the U.S. is expected to “fizzle” this year, though he attributed that to “one-time factors” without elaborating.

“That, of course, isn’t enough to say that doom and gloom is on the horizon for the luxury market or the market as a whole, but it’s something to take note of.

“Economists started to say last year that the potential for another housing bubble was present, but no one would go so far as to say it was actually happening. No one can say that now, either, but it’s worth noting that eerie signs — whether it speaks to a bubble or not — are popping up. And they’re starting to be acknowledged by some in the real estate community.”

Roseate Spoonbill Lovers

If you enjoy photographing these colorful birds, you may be interested to know that there have been many sightings at the J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge this week. If you want to see them, reports say that you need to get there early, as they are usually gone by 10 a.m.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 1-8

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sundial #H109 1/1 $339K, Sundial #H302 2/2 $599K, Pointe Santo #C4 1/1 $639K, Sundial #T302 2/2 $739K.

1 price change: Sanibel Arms #E7 1/1 now $349K.

6 new sales: Captains Walk #A2 1/1 listed for $239.9K, Seashells #27 2/2 listed for $323K, Seawind #A106 2/2.5 listed for $479K, Cottage Colony West #102 1/1 listed for $649.9K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #4 2/2.5 listed for $699K, Sand Pointe #214 2/2 listed for $729K.

7 closed sales: Coquina Beach #4B 2/2 $409K, Sanibel Siesta #308 2/2 $475K, Sandpiper Beach #202 2/2 $611K, Lighthouse Point #127 3/2 $680K, White Pelican #123 2/2 $725K, High Tide #A101 3/2 $1.1M, Somerset #B101 3/2.5 $2.025M (our Seller).

HOMES

2 new listings: 1806 Ibis Ln 3/2 $470K, 513 Lighthouse Way 3/3 $1.995M.

3 price changes: 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $599.4K, 4241 Old Banyan Way 3/2 now $739K, 1525 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 now $1.975M.

13 new sales: 600 East Rocks Dr 3/2 listed for $535K; 3724 Agate Ct 2/2 listed for $549K, 1586 Century Ct 3/2.5 listed for $629K; 1325 Par View Dr 3/2.5 listed for $710K; 5406 Osprey Ct 3/2 listed for $729K, 1528 Angel Dr 3/2 listed for $749K; 1041 Blue Heron Dr 3/2.5 listed for $839K; 3351 Barra Cir 3/2.5 listed for $869,999; 4620 Rue Bayou 3/3 listed for $899K; 5076 Joewood Dr 3/2 listed for $949K; 518 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 listed for $398.5K, 4809 Tradewinds Dr 3/3.5 listed for $1.69M; 4525 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 listed for $4.495M.

13 closed sales: 1845 Ardsley Way 3/2 $525K, 542 Chert Ct 3/2 $551.25K, 4279 Gulf Pines Dr 4/3 $630K, 3131 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 $665K, 547 Chert Ct 3/2.5 $690K, 2210 Camino Del Mar 3/2 $695K, 1173 Kittiwake Cir 4/2 $699.9K, 248 Daniel Dr 3/2 $719K, 2582 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 $750K, 6101 Castaways Ln 4/2 $790K, 2617 Coconut Dr 3/2.5 $1.29M, 1842 Woodring Rd 3/3.5 $1.84M, 1779 Venus Dr 4/5.5 $3.819M.

LOTS

No new listings.

2 price changes: 5126 Sea Bell Rd now $220K, 5116 Sea Bell Rd now $226K.

1 new sale: 9277 Belding Dr listed for $179.9K.

2 closed sales: 2562 Coconut Dr $308K, 6419 Pine Ave $626K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

2 closed sales: Bayside Villas #5324 3/3 $568.5K, Beach Homes #19 3/3 $2.695M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11461 Dickey Ln 3/2 now $1.455M.

1 new sale: 11513 Wightman Ln 5/5 listed for $1.795M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Best wishes for a happy weekend – especially all the Moms!

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

Another Summer Sale by The SanibelSusan Team

Posted on August 22, 2014 by SanibelSusan

It’s great to be back on the island after a busy few days of meetings in Orlando. The SanibelSusan Team also was busy while I was away last week with Dave showing homes last weekend which resulted in a nice sale that was finalized today. Way to go, Dave!

Elise and Lisa fielded inquiries and listing showing appointments. Surprisingly for it being the first week of school here, there was a fair amount of action. Island traffic is expected to change significantly tomorrow though, when only a handful of check-ins are expected.

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

Songwriters Bringing Tunes to Captiva

The 1st Annual Island Hopper Songwriter Fest will bring nationally-acclaimed singer-songwriters to Captiva and Fort Myers Beach this fall. The festival will take place over two weekends with dozens of free shows. The Captiva weekend will be Sept 26 to 28, it then will shift to Ft Myers Beach for Oct 3 to 6. The complete schedule will be released soon, but Captiva venues already confirmed include South Seas Island Resort, ‘Tween Waters Inn (Crows’ Nest, Old Captiva House and the Canoe & Kayak Club), Captiva Island Inn, Keylime Bistro, Cantina Captiva, RC Otter’s, The Mucky Duck, and Doc Ford’s Captiva.

Contest Deadline Approaching

Sept 15 is the deadline for the 27th Annual “Ding” Darling Days Amateur Nature Photography Contest. Sponsored by the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge (DDWS) it is held in conjunction with “Ding” Darling Days, which runs from Oct 19 to 25. More info on www.ding-darlingdays.com.

The SanibelSusan Team always enjoys receiving photos taken on the island by clients and friends. So get out your best photos, folks, and give the contest a try. Here is a photo that an island friend emailed us a couple of weeks ago. We call it “up close and personal with a red-shouldered hawk” (hope our bird identification is correct).

SanCap Motor Club, Inc.

There is a newly-formed club on Sanibel. Members of the community are invited to meet with other car enthusiasts on Monday, Sep 1 for a “Cruise In” in the front parking lot of Periwinkle Place Shopping Center. If you have a passion for automobiles – antique to muscle, class to hot rods – join the SanCap Motor Club. This is their inaugural event!

Spring Was Healthiest Market in 3 Years

Yesterday’s “Daily Real Estate News” posted the following positive news, sourced to realtor.com®:

“July housing data shows that price appreciation and inventory increases during the peak home-buying season helped the market to post the largest spring gains in three years, realtor.com® reports in its National Housing Trend Report. “In July 2012 and 2013, we saw external economic factors overwhelm the healthy gains established in the housing market during the spring home-buying season,” says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®. “This year, we’re ending the traditional season with high buyer and seller confidence demonstrated by price appreciation, increases in inventory, and quick home sales.”

“In July, housing inventories rose 2.3% year-over-year, as the median list price posted a 7.5% increase year-over-year, realtor.com® reports. The median list price was $214,900 nationwide in July. “Despite higher prices and more homes on the market, buyers are snatching up properties faster than last year,” realtor.com® reports. The median age of inventory in July was 82 days, three days less than 2013.

“This is the first time since the beginning of the recovery that we expect to see positive momentum throughout the second half of the year,” Smoke says. “While seasonal patterns are emerging in July month-to-month comparisons, all other metrics point to fundamental market health and a build-up of momentum.””

What About Sanibel & Captiva?

Looking at the sales on Sanibel and Captiva Islands January through July, there was not such a huge jump in the number of sales, but good steady progress.

Here is how those statistics stack up – unit sales year-to-year.

Closed

Sales Sanibel Captiva GRAND

1/1 to 7/31 Condos Homes Lots TOTAL Condos Homes Lots TOTAL TOTAL

2014 111 145 20 276 13 19 0 32 308

2013 109 142 14 265 23 14 1 38 303

2012 113 122 22 257 25 20 1 46 303

2011 106 113 12 231 19 15 0 34 265

Wondering how these sales compare to current inventory? We need listings – especially homes!

# for sale

8/22/14 126 149 88 364 43 34 4 81 445

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity August 15-22

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tennisplace #A26 2/1.5 $349,555; Sanibel Siesta #502 2/2 $595K.

2 price changes: Spanish Cay #A7 1/1 now $249.9K (our listing), Pointe Santo #B4 2/2 now $669K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Sanibel Arms #C1 2/2 $485K.

HOMES

5 new listings: 2615 Tamarind Rd 2/2 $425K, 4606 Brainard Bayou Rd 2/1 $434K, 3990 Coquina Dr 3/2 $599.9K, 169 Southwinds Dr 2/2 $798K, 1525 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 $2.175M.

1 price change: 1266 Isabel Dr now $1.795M.

5 new sales: 6451 Pine Ave 3/2 listed for $489K, 1364 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed for $489K, 701 Durion Ct 3/2 listed for $549K, 667 Nerita St 3/2 listed for $739K, 4500 Waters Edge Ln 2/2 listed for $799K (our sale).

3 closed sales: 5841 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 $425K, 475 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 $715K, 4444 Waters Edge Ln 3/2 $925K.

LOTS

2 new listings: 5749 SanCap Rd $399K, 6486 Pine Ave $459.9K.

1 price change: 861 Birdie View Pt now $339K.

No new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Captiva Shores #7B 3/2 $1.249M.

1 price change: Beach Villas #2628 2/2 now $639K.

1 new sale: Captiva Shores #7B 3/2 listed for $1.249M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

Nothing to report.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Enjoy your weekend! It’s gonna be another sunny warm one on the islands! SanibelSusan

Summertime Happenings on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on July 11, 2014 by SanibelSusan

I was merrily working on today’s blog when Comcast service went out on most of the island. With no office internet (except by cell phones/iPads) until this afternoon, I now realize how much we take technology for granted.

Years ago when offers were transmitted by snail mail or FedEx, we were thrilled when faxes became acceptable. That was back when those were printed on thermal paper (that shows my age). I remember needing signatures on an offer and running one of those faxes to some folks lounging around the pool at Sundial Resort. The words started disappearing in the bright sunlight. That made for an interesting obstacle to overcome!

What a difference a few years make! Even without internet service today, I was able to type an offer up on my iPad and with electronic signatures AOK, what now can be accomplished in minutes used to take days!

Here are just a couple of news items, followed by a report of the action posted in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday. It was a pretty quiet week, aside from the disruptions from the weather. The late day showers make for some fabulous sunsets though!

New Business Neighbors at Sanibel Square

Here’s a little scoop from the shopping center here at Sanibel Square:

Nave Plumbing, serving the island for more than 65 years changed hands recently. Located in the building behind us on Periwinkle Way, it has been renamed Sanibel Plumbing. The first of their trucks with a new wrap was in the 4th of July parade last week.

Next door to Sanibel Plumbing, Jeff Molnar also recently advised that his company, Molnar Electric, has changed hands. This company name will remain as Jeff will continue with them during the transition.

Congratulations to both families for some well-deserved retirement fun and best wishes for continued success to our new neighbors at “the Square”.

New Signs on Sanibel This Week

Coming onto the island from the causeway and coming from Captiva onto Sanibel, two new signs went up this week advising “Stop Algae! No fertilizer July to Sept”. What great tools these signs are to educate the public and get all of us thinking about the devastating effects that excess fertilizer can have on local water quality.

The SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) Marine Lab is working with the City of Sanibel to develop a nutrient management plan: http://marinelab.sccf.org/research/sanibel-nutrient/
To learn about local fertilizer ordinances visit: http://fertilizesmart.com/

Survey: Lenders Fear Another Housing Bubble Is Brewing

Here is an interesting posting from Realtor®Mag’s on-line “Daily Real Estate News”, on Wednesday:

“Mortgage bankers are fearful that another real estate bubble is on the horizon, according to a quarterly survey of 203 bank risk managers from the United States and Canada conducted by FICO. Fifty-six percent of respondents said that an “unsustainable real estate bubble is inflating.”

“”The home loan environment has bifurcated,” says Andrew Jennings, chief analytics officer at FICO and head of FICO Labs. “Six million home owners in the U.S. are still underwater on their mortgages, with the average negative equity a whopping 33%. Yet with home prices soaring in many cities, total home owner equity in the U.S. is at its highest level since late 2007. That doesn’t feel like a healthy, sustainable growth situation. No wonder many lenders in both Canada and the U.S. are concerned about the risk in residential mortgages.”

“But real estate experts mostly have downplayed housing bubble fears in recent months. In fact, a new report finds that home prices are still undervalued by 3% nationally. Trulia’s most recent Bubble Watch report found that at the current pace, home prices are expected to fall in line with long-term fundamentals – neither over- or undervalued – by the last quarter of 2014 or the first quarter of 2015. “Much of the recent house-price appreciation is a result of market correction for the significant undervaluation caused by the price declines,” Mark Fleming, chief economist at housing data provider CoreLogic noted in recent months. “There is no need to fear a bubble for at least a few years to come, if at all.”

“FICO’s survey also asked bankers about the most common concerns they have in the underwriting process on consumer loans. The most common concerns cited by bankers: “high debt-to-income ratio” in approving loans (59%); “multiple recent applications for credit” (13%); and “low FICO score” (10%). “As consumer confidence picks up and people increase their borrowing, lenders are understandably concerned about growing indebtedness,” says Mike Gordon, FICO’s executive vice president of sales, services and marketing. “For the last two quarters, around 65% of our respondents said they think credit card balances are headed higher. Those are the two highest figures we’ve ever seen in this survey. When I talk with bankers, they tell me they’re happy to see growing consumer optimism, but they’re wary of a return to reckless borrowing.””

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity July 4-11

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Captains Walk #D5 2/1 $299K, Spanish Cay #A4 2/2 $349K (our listing), Lighthouse Point #219 2/2 $488.8K.

2 price changes: Sundial #D307 1/1 now $259K, Loggerhead Cay #453 2/2 now $469K.

2 new sales: Sanibel Arms #C1 2/2 listed for $499K, Gulfside Place #322 2/2 listed for $1.15M.

1 closed sale: Sundial #D304 1/1 $310K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 547 Chert Ct 3/2 $739K.

1 price change: 5753 Pine Tree Dr 3/4 now $799K.

6 new sales: 5141 San-Cap Rd 2/2 listed for $299K, 490 Elizabeth Dr 2/2 listed for $379K, 5841 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 listed for $474.9K, 581 East Rocks Dr 3/2 listed for $495K (short sale), 917 Pepper Tree Pl 4/3 listed for $799,407; 3537 West Gulf Dr 3/3 listed for $3.9M.

1 closed sale: 949 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $740K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1820 Farm Trl $279K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

Captiva

No new activity for condos, homes, or lots.

Best weekend wishes to all. Here we hope the weather stays like this photo (taken during a home inspection on Captiva early-afternoon Tuesday). SanibelSusan

Wrapping Up the June 2014 Real Estate Action on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on June 27, 2014 by SanibelSusan

Florida Realtors® “Believe”

It is SanibelSusan reporting that Elise and I enjoyed being part of the FloridaRealtors® “Believe” event last Friday afternoon. This event which encouraged Realtor® work toward helping the homeless was part of a state-wide tour where the FloridaRealtors® leadership team visited every Florida district.

Elise and I were part of the Sanibel & Captiva group who, along with other local association members, packaged meals. It was an inspiring cooperation, where 100+ local association members and the leadership team were arranged in assembly-line fashion under the direction of Meals of Hope.

In just one hour, we assembled 21,760 meals (each will feed a family of five) which will be distributed to families of homeless children in Lee and Collier counties. Astoundingly, our state leaders told us that there are more than 63,000 children here that qualify for free breakfast and lunch during the school year. Often, those were their only meals of the day. Since these children don’t get the meals now that schools are out for the summer, Meals of Hope will distribute the packaged meals to the same families.

Island Weather & More

It has been another week of wonderful summer weather on Sanibel with a few afternoon showers that resulted in fabulous sunsets.

Sunset South Bldg 8 at 8:30 a.m. 06-27-14

Unfortunately the later thunder-buster last night, just after sunset, resulted in a lightning strike in Bldg 8 at Sunset South condominiums. That is one of the riverside buildings. Sanibel’s finest extinguished the fire quickly but several units were damaged. Thankfully, there were no occupants at the time.

We saw the early arrival of some July 4th holiday vacationers this week. Tomorrow many check-ins are expected with the Sanibel and South Seas expected to be near-capacity next week.

The activity from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service this week follows a few more news items below.

Association of Realtors® June Membership Meeting

The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® June breakfast membership meeting was yesterday.

During the educational segment of the agenda, Jim Jordan, Sanibel’s Director of Planning, updated members on recent happenings at City Hall. He also reminded attendees about Sanibel permit requirements. Here is some of that info:

Development Permits are required whenever the appearance or use of a structure is changed, a structure will be demolished or impermeable coverage or developed area is going to be added.

Building Permits are required when a structure is constructed, enlarged, altered, remodeled or repaired if the labor and materials exceeds $750 in market value. A building permit also is required when a building is moved, demolished, or when replacing windows or doors. Non-permanent improvements like painting, carpeting, and appliances are not included in the calculation.

Sometimes a development permit is required but no building permit is needed, like when building a fence not related to a swimming pool.

In other situations, a building permit may be required, but no development permit is necessary, i.e. for work such as interior repairs or remodeling, exterior siding replacement, or adding a concrete slab under an existing structure. See more details, forms, and a list of approved contractors on www.MySanibel.com.

During “questions & answers”, Realtors® quizzed Jim about some issues recently affecting island sales and closings, i.e. improvements to non-conforming structures and the 50% rule, and open permits discovered before a closing,

Jim reminded members that the 50% rule covers a 5-year time period, so at the end of that time the process may begin again.

Jim also advised that the City is adding software to their computer system this summer/fall which will improve tracking of permits. He said that permit information including history on all properties will eventually be on-line and accessible to the public. Since closing open permits is a requirement of some Florida sales contracts and permit information currently is not readily available on-line to property owners (and Realtors®), that news was well received.

Florida Realtors® Honor Society

At the same meeting, four Sanibel/Captiva Realtors® were recognized for earning Florida Realtors® Honor Society membership for their recent work for the state association; their activity locally and nationally in the Realtor® organization, in national institutes, societies, and councils; for designations earned; educational activities; and political involvement.

SanibelSusan was awarded her 15th-year Florida Honor Society pin, while three VIP colleagues also were recognized: Jim Hall (19 yrs), Dave Schuldenfrei (9 yrs), and Shane Spring (1 yr).

Caloosahatchee Water Project To Begin

A construction project that should improve water quality in Southwest Florida area has been approved. The Caloosahatchee River (C-43) West Basin Storage Project which is part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan is slated to begin in October. This is a cost-shared project between the federal government and the state of Florida. The President officially signed off on the project June 10.

This project is just one step toward improving water quality on both coasts of Florida by reducing polluted discharges from Lake Okeechobee to local waterways. The idea is to pull water out of the Caloosahatchee River during the rainy season when there is too much water flowing. Stored water in a newly constructed reservoir would then be released during the dry season to provide sufficient fresh water to keep the salinities at healthy level within the estuary.

This project is just a small part of the many solutions needed to improve water supply and water quality in the estuary, but definitely a move in the right direction!

Sundial Resort Announces Phase II Renovations

The 2nd phase of the Sundial Beach Resort & Spa’s multi-million dollar renovation program is scheduled to begin in August, with completion expected in early November. It will include a state-of-the-art fitness center, pizza kitchen, on-site market and deli, and new soft tennis courts. The Sundial Buddies Kid’s Camp and Sanibel’s Sea Camp for Kids also will be launched. The pool bar and main pool deck area will be upgraded too. During the renovation period, Sundial’s four other condo association pools will be available, Sea Breeze Cafe will be open with live entertainment and full bar offerings, and resort amenities will be available to guests including the activities center, bikes, kayaks, and the new spa and boutique. The meeting rooms and reception areas also will be operational. More details at www.sundialresort.com.

Certified Master Chef at The Sanctuary

This posting came from the June 2014 issue of the “Sanctuary Sound”. No wonder there are so many raves about the great food at The Sanctuary.

“This past March, Daniel Scannell, Certified Master Chef (CMC) one of 66 in the country that successfully obtained the Certified Master Chefs examination joined the Management Team at The Sanctuary Golf Club. Administered by the American Culinary Federation and the Culinary Institute of America, the title Certified Master Chef (CMC) represents the most rigorous culinary test for a professional chef. “Chef Daniel is coming from Oak Hill where the 2013 PGA Championship was held with over 200,000 people attending the event. His education is impeccable, the awards and accolades numerous, and his passion for food is contagious. In Ireland he won The Jean Conil Perpetual Trophy for International Chefs, has been inducted into The Epicurean World Master Chefs’ Society in London, and been a member of the Culinary Olympic Team USA 2000, 2004, and 2008, to name a few achievements. We are very excited to have him on the team,” stated Ken Kouril, General Manager of The Sanctuary Golf Club.”

If you are interested in a property at The Sanctuary, whether it be a condo, home, or lot, please give SanibelSusan a call, she can arrange for you to try out the golf course/tennis courts and dine in the restaurant as part of your due diligence.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 20-27

Sanibel
CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

5 new sales: Tennisplace #E31 2/1 $325K, Sundial #D304 1/1 listed for $339K, Coquina Beach #5G 2/2 listed for $415K, Sandpiper Beach #302 2/2 listed for $599K, Sundial #O307 2/2 listed for $975K.

3 closed sales: Sundial #I304 1/1 $360K, Blind Pass #G204 3/2 $485K, Sundial #L202 2/2 $629.5K.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1377 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $499K, 981 Main St 4/2.5 $599K, 1426 Causey Ct 3/2 $729K, 667 Nerita St 3/2 $739K, 8987 Mockingbird Dr 3/3 $849K, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5 $1.695M.

8 price changes: 5141 SanCap Rd 2/2 now $299K, 490 Christine Rd 2/2 now $599K, 4279 Gulf Pines Dr 4/3 now $699.95K, 6001 Clam Bayou Ln 3/2 now $789K, 676 Anchor Dr 3/3 now $949K, 3400 West Gulf Dr 4/3 now $1.149M, 6440 Pine Ave 3/3 now $1.395M, 3744 West Gulf Dr 4/4 now $1.695M.

5 new sales: 702 Donax St 2/2 listed for $449K, 1644 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 listed for $459.5K, 236 Hurricane Ln 3/3 listed for $549K, 283 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2 listed for $1.695M, 1206 Bay Dr 4/4.5 listed for $2.85M.

3 closed sales: 966 Fitzhugh St 2/1 $290K, 966 Greenwood Ct 3/2.5 half-duplex $385K, 2552 Harbour Ln 3/2 $800K.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 1304 Eagle Run Dr now $249K.

1 new sale: 5407 Osprey Ct listed for $499,555.

No closed sales.

Captiva
CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5230 1/2 $309K.

No price changes or new sales.

2 closed sales: Tennis Villas 3229 1/1 $215K, Beach Homes #6 3/3 $1.7M

HOMES
No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 16645 Captiva Dr 8/9/2 $3.45M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until SanibelSusan’s next blog posting on July 4th, happy summer to all…& remember it’s a great time to buy property on the islands! It is always easier to view during the summer.

A Peek at Dinkins Bayou on a Friday Afternoon

Posted on June 13, 2014 by SanibelSusan

It’s been yet another quiet yet sunny real estate week on Sanibel Island. There was a quick shower this morning and most evenings thunderstorms from the other coast as well as from the gulf side have tried to make their way to the islands, but it has rarely happened.

Here are a few snapshots that Dave took this afternoon while he was out checking our signs. This is Dinkins Bayou from the end of Henderson Road on the west end of Sanibel Island.

Now some news items from SanibelSusan followed by the activity posted this week in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Realtor® Happenings

Our local Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday had as many affiliate members in attendance as sales associates, so another indication that it is a slow time for island sales. Occupancy is expected to pick up for the upcoming July holiday, but in the meantime, it is a good time to play catch up.

Rental managers are doing their yearly property evaluations, Realtors® are beating the bushes looking for new listings, and the push with annual projects has begun with many condo associations beginning their maintenance and remodeling work early this summer.

I was asked to Chair our Association of Realtors® Nominating Committee again this year so that will take a few hours of time later this summer. We have two board positions opening up this year. Sharing, like volunteering always comes back in business multifold, so I am happy to do it.

Next Friday Realtors® from our District will be in Naples with their sleeves rolled up teaming with Meals of Hope and the entire Florida leadership team to package meals and fill cases of food for distribution to food pantries in District 5 communities. 2014 Florida Realtors® President Sherri Meadows will be there to speak about the homelessness problem in Florida and how Realtors® can make a difference.

Another Best for Sanibel Island

U.S. News Travel ranks the best destinations in the USA. They combine expert opinions and user votes to determine the best travel spots in a variety of categories. Under “Best Beaches in Florida”, Sanibel Island is #2. The others rounding out the top seven include: Destin, Naples, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Miami Beach, and Key West.

Florida Treasurer Lauds State’s Economic Turnaround

Good news, posted yesterday in the “Northwest Florida Daily News” in Fort Walton Beach, FL:

“Florida’s treasurer has called the state’s recovery from the economic downturn a story of the human spirit and of people who do not give up and quit. Jeff Atwater, Florida’s Chief Financial Officer, was the guest speaker for Wednesday’s Power of Business breakfasting meeting hosted by the Walton Area Chamber of Commerce. Atwater started his talk by thanking the business leaders for turning around Florida’s economy.

“You’re the ones who are building this economy,” Atwater said. “You’re the job creators of this state, you’re the innovators, you’re the ones that create the hospitality, the memories and experiences that people will talk about after they visit.”

“Atwater talked about Florida’s recovery by first talking about how far the economy fell during the recession. In 2006, Florida’s top line revenue from sales taxes, licenses and fees, corporate taxes and doc stamps was $27 billion. The average single family home price was $258,000 and 365,000 people moved into the state.

“Fast forward three years and top line revenue had dropped to $21 billion, the average home price plummeted to $119,000 and the number of people who moved to the state fell to 20,000. During this time, the state also received a letter from Standard & Poor’s downgrading the state’s credit rating from neutral to negative.

“”I don’t stare at the state books,” Atwater said. “I can’t change the state books by staring at them and I can’t make your life better by staring at my books. The choices this state made were not to stare at our books in that nightmare moment, but to instead look up and look outward and ask what can we do to create the conditions for the fastest possible recovery.”

Since that time, the state has reduced its spending and debt as well as corporate taxes for small business owners to improve the economy. Atwater said the state’s top line revenue was back up to $26.5 billion, despite the lower taxes and debt, average home prices have gone back up to $175,000 and 287,000 people are estimated to be moving to Florida this year. S&P also upgraded the state’s credit rating back to neutral. “You didn’t give up. You hung in there,” Atwater said.””

Brazilians Make Their Mark on Florida & Beyond

Yesterday, to mark the beginning of the World Cup, Florida Realtors® posted the article below, sourced to The Associated Press. The article got me thinking about how many Brazilians own real estate in Lee County, so I did a quick property search. Answer: just 32 according to the Lee Property Appraiser’s website, www.LeePA.org.

“As all eyes turn to Brazil for the World Cup, Brazilians in the U.S. are also gaining notice. According to the U.S. Census, more than 325,000 people of Brazilian ancestry now call the United States home, but experts put the numbers higher.

“Most have come since the late 1980s, first landing in the nation’s traditional Portuguese-speaking enclaves around Boston and more recently congregating in central and South Florida. Still others have settled in New York, California and New Jersey….”

Will Stainless Steel Lose Its Popularity?

The following article posted on-line on Monday from REALTOR® Magazine doesn’t exactly answer this question, but this is a subject that comes up often from owners looking to renovate kitchens. Interesting to read what the future holds for kitchen appliances.

“Appliance manufacturers are providing home owners with modern finishes to their kitchen appliances, and some of the offerings have even been touted as the “new stainless steel.”

“Appliance makers are in the search for a potential successor to stainless steel, which some designers say will eventually wear out its welcome. But so far, no introductions have touched upon the popularity of stainless steel, and stainless isn’t likely to be doomed to the same fate as 1970s avocado-colored appliances anytime soon.

“Still, some home owners have complained about the annoyance of fingerprint smudges and the upkeep in keeping their stainless polished. Eventually, that annoyance may tempt them to look more closely at some of the alternatives popping up in the last two years. Some appliance makers are choosing to still channel the stainless look in their alternatives so that home owners could even make a gradual switch. Other manufactures, however, are opting to offer more bold alternatives.

“Could any of these finishes have the potential to dethrone home owners’ love for stainless steel one day?

“Ice-Glazed – Whirlpool introduced last year its White Ice collection of appliances, and at the time called white “the new stainless.” The glossy white appliances feature silver accents. Whirlpool also offers a Black Ice version — black appliances with silver accents.

“Slate – General Electric is offering up slate as an alternative. The low-gloss gray finish is “inspired by the rich texture of stone” and “provides a warm, inviting alternative to stainless steel,” GE says on its website. GE also notes that the dark matte finish hides fingerprints, smudges, and dirt.

“Colorful Options – Viking Range offers several various colors of appliances, such as in cobalt blue. Viking Range Corp. which was a pioneer in stainless with its debut in 1987 of a stainless steel open-burner range is providing home owners a colorful array of options with appliances. It has 24 color alternatives, from cinnamon, wasabi, kettle black and Dijon to plum, sea grass, and cobalt blue. Or, the company’s graphite gray may be a little less bold for more home owners who are looking to make a switch from stainless.”

Builders to Widen Stock of Green Homes by 2018

As posted in the “Daily Real Estate News” yesterday, “An upswing in green building is expected over the next four years as more widespread adoption takes hold, according to survey respondents in McGraw Hill’s latest SmartMarket Report.

“More than one-third of single-family builders or 34% report that more than 60% of their projects are “green.” What’s more, 62% of builders say they expect that more than 60% of their single-family homes will be green by 2018.

“The multifamily market is also going green. The number of multifamily builders who say that 90% of their current projects are green is expected to triple by 2018, rising from 6% to 18%, according to the report. Forty-two percent of builders say that more than 60% of their projects will be green by 2018. (Currently, 23% are operating at that level.)

“Builders say that buyers are showing more willingness to pay for green features. In 2013, 73% of single-family builders and 79% of single-family remodelers said that buyers were willing to pay a 3% to 5% premium for green homes. For multifamily homes, 68% of builders said that buyers were willing to pay more.

“In the survey, builders identified the following main drivers to building more green homes: energy cost increases; code, ordinance, and regulation changes; and green-product availability and affordability.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity June 6-13

Sanibel
CONDOS

3 new listings: Captains Walk #C7 1/1 $249K, Blind Pass #D204 2/2 $445K, Mariner Pointe #813 2/2 $479K .

1 price change: Lighthouse Point #215 3/2 now $575K.

1 new sale: Sundial #D408 1/1 listed for $359K.

2 closed sales: Seashells #6 2/2 $340K, Pine Cove #302 2/2 $1M.
HOMES

3 new listings: 702 Donax St 2/2 $449K, 2596 Roosevelt Pl 3/2 $785K, 1545 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 $1.295M.

4 price changes: 5141 San-Cap Rd 2/2 now $310K, 3001 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $539K, 395 Old Trail Rd 5/4 now $859K, 660 Anchor Dr 4/4 now $1.199M.

3 new sales: 2079 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 listed for $549K, 475 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 listed for $775K, 5615 Baltusrol Ct 4/4/3 listed for $4.399M.

2 closed sales: 696 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $560K, 9007 Mockingbird Dr 3/3 $960K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 643 E Rocks Dr $335K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS, HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, SanibelSusan hopes your weather is bright & sunny too!

It is Yet Another Gorgeous Friday Afternoon on Sanibel Island

Posted on June 6, 2014 by SanibelSusan

It is another sunny Friday on Sanibel with the locals again enjoying island offerings. The beaches have been just beautiful this week with visitors posting terrific sunset photos and folks talking of dolphins jumping near shore. I heard a couple of vacationers say that the shelling is light, but Lighthouse Beach continues to bring raves from those collecting miniatures. Traffic is essentially nil with no one needed to direct at the 4-way stops the last few days. The shops and restaurants mostly are being patronized by locals too.

We can always tell that “season” is really over when colleagues and I go into an island hangout for lunch and know nearly everyone there. That is when other business owners quiz us about the real estate market and we compare notes. Yesterday, I chatted with Trasi, co-owner of “The Over Easy Cafe” and “Island Paws”. We always joke with her that her restaurant is one of the few places where we can count on getting “in and out” in less than an hour, but only after the snowbirds depart. The restaurant was busy, but patrons included several other Realtors® and many island worker bees. Like the rest of us, she and her staff are enjoying a little less pressure after a super busy winter season.

We are all very thankful for the upswing in business this year. Dave Schuldenfrei, Manager of VIP Vacation Rentals, also told us that their bookings continue to be up, more than 20% over last year overall, including more visitors in June, July, and August. I sure hope prospective buyers are heeding that news. It still is a good time to buy an investment rental. That inventory has good opportunities including several of our listings!

Our last home listing closed on Monday. If you have island friends thinking of selling, please tell them about us, as plenty of home buyers remain.

Below are a couple of news items followed by a report action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service over the last seven days, but first a few photos that I snapped today on my way back to the office about noontime. The beach shots came from the boardwalk at Gulfside City Park. The bay views are from the park at end the end of Dixie Beach Blvd overlooking San Carlos Bay. The turtle crossing the road was in Lake Murex and the pretty arbor is the entrance to the butterfly garden at West Wind Inn.

Gulfside City Park

Be sure to watch out for turtles crossing in Lake Murex.

Gulfside City Parking looking west

Another view of San Carlos Bay

Overlooking San Carlos Bay

Gulfside City Park looking east

Entrance to butterfly garden at West Wind Inn.

Sanibel & Captiva 2014 Sales Stats

With more high-end sales posted this week, it is a good time to update the sales statistics for 2014. Here they are with the closed sales reported through noon today:

		Average Price $		Average Price $		Average Price $
SANIBEL	CONDOS		HOMES		LOTS
For Sale	138	697,768	174	1,332,100	86	521,561
Under Contract Awaiting Closing	15	790,420	34	820,838	4	411,500
Sold in 2014 thru 6/6	92	687,650	111	856,567	15	454,204
Sold in 2013	161	573,557	197	910,321	26	416,502
Sold in 2012	151	551,244	183	823,598	33	487,687
Sold in 2011	142	591,861	179	826,130	19	363,729
Sold in 2010	120	608,545	124	775,805	21	336,905
Sold in 2009	87	670,489	144	755,003	11	333,136
Sold in 2008	95	731,648	148	952,695	13	379,927
Sold in 2007	86	791,163	143	1,024,007	17	854,803
Sold in 2006	143	866,972	156	1,143,682	18	523,917

		Average Price $		Average Price $		Average Price $
CAPTIVA	CONDOS		HOMES		LOTS
For Sale	42	876,664	38	4,307,934	4	2,428,500
Under Contract Awaiting Closing	4	863,125	5	2,284,800	0	N/A
Sold in 2014 thru 6/6	7	526,611	16	2,796,344	0	N/A
Sold in 2013	36	659,185	18	2,522,056	2	675,000
Sold in 2012	35	836,129	26	1,536,019	3	1,221,667
Sold in 2011	24	737,754	22	1,782,059	1	485,000
Sold in 2010	25	696,159	10	2,258,250	2	2,850,000
Sold in 2009	22	804,818	16	2,573,016	3	2,241,667
Sold in 2008	21	894,536	13	3,465,385	4	3,251,250
Sold in 2007	12	906,042	19	3,270,300	1	3,575,000
Sold in 2006	21	1,362,476	10	2,307,375	4	2,218,750

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

Resort & 2nd Home Property Specialist (RSPS)

Tuesday, at our Association office, SanibelSusan taught one of the modules needed for island Realtors® to earn their Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist (SCIS) designation. The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® offers this local education program annually. It is a good way for those working the island to learn what is different in selling real estate here. My 15 students included some brand-new Realtors®, some with many years of experience, some new here, and some that know the island well. It made for an interesting mix and good interaction.

As one of the 40 members of the 2014 Florida Realtors® Resort & 2nd-Home Specialists Forum and one of just six islands Realtors® holding the national RSPS certification, it always is fun to update my course material and get smarter myself, while sharing the knowledge. It goes without saying that the bulk of island sales are to buyers looking for vacation or 2nd-home property, rental income, or value appreciation.

Here is some info from my class. Some of the stats are based on the National Association of Realtors® “Investment and Vacation Home Buyers Survey 2014”.

The states with the largest number of vacation and second homes are Florida, California, Texas, and Michigan.

Nationally, 75% of these buyers get financing, here (Sanibel & Captiva) it is the reverse, with most buyers paying cash.

60% of today’s investment buyers are likely to buy another investment property.

55% of investment buyers are likely to buy a vacation property in the next two years.

Similarly in two years, 51% of all vacation property buyers are likely to purchase an investment property and 52% are likely to purchase another vacation property.

Among those buying primary residences, 37% are likely to buy an investment property and 40% a vacation property within the next two years.

By 2020, the number of second homes is expected to increase by about 200,000 units per year with the South projected to see about half of all the new 2nd-home growth.

Housing Market Reaching Equilibrium

A “Real Estate News” article posted on-line on Monday, says:

“Home prices have already begun moderating over the past year and appreciation likely will continue to gradually slow over the next two years, according to a forecast of 31 analysts recently surveyed by Reuters. Analysts predict home prices to rise 7.5% this year and then curtail to 4% by 2016.

“That marks a sharp slowdown from the double-digit increases reported last year. Analysts surveyed by Reuters say they expect prices to slow in the coming months due to tight lending standards, slow wage growth, and a lack of first-time buyers.

“”Growth would be more robust if we saw more first-time homebuyers in the market,” says David Nice, economist at Mesirow Financial. “That would put the housing market on a sustainable growth trajectory.” Analysts surveyed expect existing home sales to reach a 4.75 million annual rate in the second quarter of this year and rise to 5.10 million in the first quarter of 2015. “We are seeing a state of equilibrium,” says Mark Goldman, a real estate expert at San Diego State University in California. “I don’t see any symptoms that would cause housing prices to go up or down significantly.””

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 30-June 6

Sanibel
CONDOS

1 new listing: Nutmeg Village #209 2/2 $675K.

5 price changes: Sundial #I103 1/1 now $349.5K, Loggerhead Cay #411 2/2 now $523.9K, Nutmeg Village #308 2/2 now $769K, Sanddollar #A104 2/2 now $829K, Sedgemoor #206 3/3.5 now $2.875M.

4 new sales: Sundial #I304 1/1 listed for $389K, Loggerhead Cay #583 2/2 listed for $540K, Sundial #O302 2/2 listed for $699K, Tarpon Beach #305 2/2 listed for $750K.

5 closed sales: Sunset South #1B 2/2 $515K, Sandpiper Beach #505 $575K (short sale), Surfside 12 #B1 3/2 $854.5K, High Tide #A102 3/2.5 $1.2M, Anglers Key #201 3/3 $1.62M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 621 Lake Murex Cir 2/2 $509K, 2470 Harbour Ln 3/3 $999.9K, 5427 Osprey Ct 3/3.5 $1.2472M, 190 Violet Dr 3/2.5 $1.295M.

6 price changes: 3168 Twin Lakes Ln 3/2 now $579.9K; 1291 Sand Castle Rd 5/3.5 now $799K; 3351 Barra Cir 3/2.5 now $869,999; 904 Almas Ct 3/2.5 now $1.095M; 660 Anchor Dr 4/4 now $1.299M (short sale); 1206 Bay Dr 4/4.5 now $2.85M.

6 new sales: 1841 Ibis Ln 2/2 listed for $458K, 553 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed for $579K, 1284 Par View Dr 2/2 listed for $649K, 949 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 listed for $775K, 2538 Blind Pass Ct 3/2 listed for $850K, 2279 Troon Ct 3/4 listed for $1.295M.

14 closed sales: 2007 Mitzi Ln 3/2 $399K, 9263 Kincaid Ct 3/2.5 $415K, 1890 Farm Trl 3/2 $427.5K, 3837 Coquina Dr 2/2 $415K, 1625 Serenity Ln 3/2 $480K, 706 Emeril Ct 3/2 $679.9K, 2550 Wulfert Rd 4/3.5 half-duplex $688K, 1300 Par View Dr 3/2 $726K, 1130 Seagrape Ln 4/3 $770K, 820 Angel Wing Dr 3/2 $910K (our listing), 1759 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 $917.5K, 5423 Osprey Ct 3/2.5 $1.337M, 4781 Tradewinds Dr 3/2 $1.485M, 1077 Bird Ln 4/4/2 $5M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 1311 Par View Dr $295,555.

2 price changes: 9239 Dimmick Dr now $159.9K, 4636 Rue Royale now $429K.

1 new sale: 659 Anchor Dr listed for $549K.

1 closed sale: 1325 Eagle Run Dr $395K.

Captiva
CONDOS

2 new listings: Sunset Beach Villas #2313 1/1 $539K, Beach Cottages #1403 2/2 $1.085M.

2 price changes: Sunset Beach Villas #2337 2/2 now $699K, Sunset Beach Villas #2332 2/2 now $699K.

1 new sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2316 1/1 listed for $525K.

1 closed sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2338 3/3 $773.5K.

HOMES
No new listings.

1 price change: 16428 Captiva Dr 7/8/2 now $9.75M.

1 new sale: 11532 Wightman Ln 2/2 listed for $1.35M.

1 closed sale: 1129 Logifolia Ct 4/5 $5.3M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Best wishes to all for a terrific weekend!

It will be summer beach weather with those afternoon showers still likely here!

May Ends “Flamboyantly” on Sanibel Island

Posted on May 30, 2014 by SanibelSusan

It’s another beautiful Friday afternoon on Sanibel and Captiva. This week islanders have settled into a typical summer pattern. Traffic is light, the restaurants are being patronized by mostly “locals”, and the late afternoon white popcorn clouds are making their way across the causeway bringing quick, but often heavy, late-day showers. Lee County Schools ended their academic year at noon Wednesday so family vacations will begin soon.

Below is a photo that I shot today on my way back to the office after lunch. It is one of the last blooming royal poinciana trees, located near the entrance to Lake Murex. May is generally the month for those trees to bloom “flamboyant”ly (as the tree is called in the Caribbean). Most of the trees here have already leafed out, but this one is still in its glory!

If you didn’t receive a copy of my recent newsletter, “The Sanibel Scoop, with Captiva Chatter”, here is a link: SanibelScoop_05-12-14_Booklet.

At our bi-weekly Caravan Meeting yesterday at the Association of Realtors®, attendance was low and only a handful of new listings were announced. Following a few news items below is a report of all of the activity posted over the last seven days in the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

35th Annual Road Rally Registration

If you will be here for the next holiday, it is always fun to participate in the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club’s longest-running 4th of July event. With the proceeds going to local scholarships, this year marks the 35th year of the July 4th Road Rally. The rally begins in the Timbers Restaurant/Sanibel Grill parking lot at noon (after the parade) and ends at the Grill with an after-glow party. The $35 entry fee covers a car, the driver, navigator, and unlimited crew members plus one commemorative Road Rally T-shirt. Additional T-shirts are available for $15. It is not a race, but rather, teams puzzle out clues while following a prescribed driving course around the island. Prizes are awarded for finishing in the correct time, at the correct mileage, for the most correct answers to the quiz about things seen along the route, and for the best decorated vehicle. The number of entries is limited with forms available at Bailey’s General Store, Sanibel Cafe, Sanibel-Captiva Community Bank, “Island Sun” newspaper, and at the starting line. Staggered starting times are pre-assigned by the Rally Master. (As one who has participated in the Rally, rest assured that you do not need to know island geography to win.)

Permeable Paver Ordinance Passed from Planning to City Council

At the Sanibel Planning Commission Meeting on Tuesday, a draft ordinance which would amend the City Land Development Code allowing, under certain conditions, the use of permeable pavers within driveways and parking areas of single-family homes, and duplex/triplex residences was discussed. A recent study shows that the use of materials such as sand, shell and gravel can become more compacted and less pervious over a period of years. The draft ordinance about the use of permeable pavers has some provisions. City Council is expected to conduct a first reading of it on June 3.

Sea Turtles & Snowy Plovers & Tarpon

‘Tis the season for all three!

Most loggerhead sea turtles come ashore at night to lay their eggs in the sand, but twice last week on Sanibel two Sea Turtle volunteers reported seeing different females heading back into the gulf at sunrise (one east-end and the other at Bowman’s Beach). Nesting runs until October, so if you are a beach-walker, please be on the lookout for these wonderful creatures. Do not to disturb them or their nests. More than 60 nests already have been marked on Sanibel/Captiva. Track the nests at www.sccf.org.

The Conservation Foundation (SCCF) also reports that as of last week, 12 snowy plover nests have been spotted and marked. Three have already hatched chicks. These birds are so tiny that sometimes visitors miss them. SCCF has a Snowy Plover program coming up next Tues, Jun 3, at 1:30 p.m. It’s free to SCCF members and children. $5 for non-members. Definitely worth attending if you want to learn more about these fascinating little guys.

This week, local fishermen have been posting lots of Facebook photos of their catches, plus shots of plenty of tarpon rolling and jumping. With tarpon size varying from about 40 pounds to more than 150 pounds, the fish stories seem to be more plentiful this year than last May.

Lee Memorial Health System

A frequent question posed to real estate professionals in Southwest Florida, is “how is the medical care here?” Short of saying that there are lots of healthy old retirees in the Sunshine State and that HealthPark is just a few minutes off the causeway, here is some good info from the Spring 2014 Lee Memorial Health System Foundation booklet, “The Gift” (Helping Hands, Caring Hearts):

“Your generous donations make it possible for Lee Memorial Health System to:

Operate the only state-approved Level II Trauma Center between Tampa & Miami

Have more than 1 million patient contacts each year

Rank among the Top 50 hospitals in the nation

Maintain the only Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) between Tampa & Miami at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.”

See foundation info at www.LeeMemorial.org/foundation.

Experts Say Home-Price Appreciation to Slow Down Through 2016

In an article posted by RISMedia and summarized in “Daily Real Estate News” on-line last week, “home values are expected to appreciate by 4.4% on average through the end of the year, but that rate will slow to 3.8% in 2015 and 3.4% in 2016, say 106 economists, real estate experts, and investment and market strategists surveyed by Pulsenomics LLC.

“After a sharp double-digit percentage increase in home values last year, the rollback in appreciation would put them more on par with historical norms. Prior to the housing bubble years of 1987 to 1999, home values averaged 3.6% growth per year.

“The majority of economists surveyed say they expect median home values to exceed their pre-recession peaks by the first quarter of 2018. They cited the following as the most common concerns for declining housing affordability: income growth (28%); abnormally high rates of home-price and rent appreciation (27%), and an abnormally low supply of homes for sale or rent (21%).

““Time will tell whether Washington’s unfolding plan to expand mortgage credit will have a durable, positive impact on home values, housing confidence, and market expectations,” says Terry Loebs, founder of Pulsenomics.”

Negative Equity Key to Housing Roller Coaster?

Florida Realtors® posted the following article on Wednesday. It makes sense.

“One reason for the sluggish housing recovery: homeowners can’t sell their homes because they don’t have enough equity to do so yet, The Wall Street Journal reports.Nearly 10 million U.S. households – about 18% of homeowners with a mortgage – are still underwater, meaning their home is worth less than their mortgage. Home prices are rising, and the number of underwater homeowners is declining, but some still feel stuck.

“”Most move-up homeowners typically use their home equity to cover broker fees, closing costs, and a down-payment for their next home,” The Wall Street Journal reports. “Without those funds, many homeowners can’t sell.”

“Some housing analysts say that understanding negative equity is key to understanding a lot of the distortions occurring in the current housing market.

“The picture has been gradually improving, however. While the number of underwater homeowners remains high, some reports show more homeowners regaining equity. About 4 million homes returned to positive equity in 2013, boosting the total number of non-underwater U.S. homes to about 42.7 million, according to a CoreLogic report.

“”The plight of the underwater borrower has improved dramatically since negative equity peaked in December 2009 when more than 12 million mortgaged homeowners were underwater,” says Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. “Over the past four years, more than 5.5 million homeowners have regained equity, reducing their risk of foreclosure and unlocking pent-up supply in the housing market.”

Source: “Negative Home Equity Impedes Housing Recovery,” The Wall Street Journal (May 24, 2014) and “CoreLogic: 4 Million Homeowners Back Above Water in 2013,” HousingWire (March 6, 2014)

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 23-30

Sanibel
CONDOS

4 new listings: Colonnades #44 1/1 $207K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #201 2/2 $499K, Sandy Bend #5 2/2 $659K, Compass Point #112 2/2 $1.135M.

2 price changes: Island Beach Club #P2A 2/2 now $499.9K, Loggerhead Cay #373 2/2 now $539K.

No new sales.

3 closed sales: Tennisplace #B24 2/1 $282K, Cottage Colony West #119 1/1 $550K (our listing & buyer), Tarpon Beach #109 2/2 $750K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 1938 Roseate Ln 3/2 $389K, 701 Durion Ct 3/2 $549K, 620 Hideaway Ct 2/2.5 $575K, 1755 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 $712.5K.

8 price changes: 1835 Ardsley Way 2/1 now $329K, 732 Durion Ct 3/2 now $727.9K, 475 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 now $775K, 5753 Pine Tree Dr 3/4 now $825K, 1329 Eagle Run Dr 3/2.5 now $849K, 1528 Angel Dr 3/2 now $864K, 201 Violet Dr 3/2 now $869.5K, 428 Bella Vista Way 4/4 now $1.795M.

3 new sales: 925 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 listed for $698K, 1516 Angel Dr 3/2 listed for $890K, 466 Sea Oats Dr 4/3.5 listed for $995K.

3 closed sales: 1555 Bunting Ln 2/2 $420K, 340 E Gulf Dr 2/2 $479K, 1001 Kings Crown Dr 3/2.5 $822K.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 6081 Henderson Rd $195K.

Captiva
CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5130 1/2 $275K.

5 price changes: Gulf Beach Villas #2031 2/2 now $699K, Sunset Beach Villas #2332 2/2 now $699K, Sunset Beach Villas #2337 2/2 now $715K, Ventura Captiva #5B 3/3.5 now $965K, Lands End Village #1667 2/2 now $1.025M.

2 new sales: Sunset Beach Villas #2316 2/2 listed for $525K, #6 Beach Homes 3/3 listed for $1.895M.

No closed sales.

HOMES
No new listings.

1 price change: 16785 Captiva Dr 4/3.5 now $1.749M.

1 new sale: 11411 Old Lodge Ln 4/2 listed for $929K.

1 closed sale: 16464 Captiva Dr 8/8.5 $7M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Here’s to a great weekend and a smooth transition into hurricane season which begins on Sunday!

Mother’s Day Weekend – Real Estate Happenings on Sanibel & Captiva Island

Posted on May 9, 2014 by SanibelSusan

With Mother’s Day just around the corner, it was another week of fabulous weather on Sanibel and Captiva Islands – bright blue skies, gorgeous teal gulf waters, unobstructed sunrises and sunsets, and temperatures in the 60’s/70’s at night and 80’s/90’s almost every day.

Donax Street Beach Access Today 05-09-14 at 2 p.m.

This also was the first week of 2014’s real estate “off-season”, with no Association of Realtors® Caravan meeting yesterday and very few showings this week. It’s true what the locals say about May and October being some of the best months to be on the islands – nice weather, little traffic, no waits, and lower rental rates – just not a lot of real estate action then.

Our pals in the vacation accommodation business advise that Sanibel is at only about 45% occupancy now. May is expected to be quiet right up until Memorial Day weekend, but reservations pick up in June when schools are out and families begin their summer vacations.

Beach in front of West Wind Inn on Tues 05-06-14 at 1 p.m.

Below are a couple of new items followed by the action over the last seven days posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Survey: More Owners Think It’s a Good Time To Sell

Here is some good news that FloridaRealtors® posted on line yesterday:

“Americans’ outlook toward the housing market continued to improve in April – and perhaps foreshadow an increase in housing activity in the coming months – according to results from Fannie Mae’s April 2014 National Housing Survey.

“The share of respondents who believe it’s a good time to sell a home increased for the third consecutive month to an all-time high of 42%, an encouraging sign since many potential homebuyers will need to sell a home before entering the purchase market.

“In addition, the share of respondents who say it’s a good time to buy a home remained steady at 69% following a gradual climb since the beginning of the year. Notably, although consumers remain generally split regarding their ability to get a mortgage, fewer respondents are concerned about losing their job – which may encourage potential homebuyers to enter the market.

“”Consumer attitudes about the current home selling environment have improved and now are at the most favorable level we’ve seen in the survey’s four-year history,” says Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. “These results are in line with our expectations for increased housing activity and gradual strengthening of the housing market going into the spring and summer selling season.””

Luxury Home Sales Soar Above Historical Average

When I read the following Realtor®Mag on-line article this week, it crossed my mind that Sanibel sales this year mirrored some of these findings.

“Affluent buyers are feeling bullish about housing, as luxury home sales skyrocket, Bloomberg reports. Million-dollar homes in the U.S. are selling at double their historical average, according to data released by the National Association of REALTORS®.

“Sales of homes that cost $1 million or more increased 7.8% in March compared to a year earlier. Meanwhile, sales of homes that cost $250,000 or less — which represent about two-thirds of the housing market — dropped 12% in March year-over-year. “The real estate market is the ultimate reflection of confidence, wealth, and income,” says Sam Khater, deputy chief economist at CoreLogic.

“Transactions for homes costing $2 million or more soared 33% in January and February compared to a year earlier, according to an analysis by DataQuick of 25 of the top U.S. metro areas. The transactions were the highest for a two-month period since DataQuick began its tracking in 1988.

““The luxury markets are on fire,” Christie’s International CEO Bonnie Stone Sellers told Bloomberg. “The trends in luxury housing are similar to trends in other luxury goods. Whether you’re buying a third home in Manhattan as a pied-a-terre or another Picasso, these are acquisitions of passion, of lifestyle, and of experience.”

“There have been some blockbuster sales recently. The latest to grab headlines was the $147 million sale of an East Hampton’s property, which now carries the title as the priciest home sale ever in the U.S. This came two weeks after the sale of a single-family home in Greenwich, Conn., known as Copper Beech Farm shattered home records at the time at $120 million.

““The stock market is very strong, and this is a way to monetize and concretize some gains,” says Gary Wasserman, CEO of Allied Metals Corp., who is looking to boost his personal real estate portfolio. “We had quite a shock to our collective confidence in 2008 and 2009. The resurgence of the economy has underscored for us that this country remains a very strong place, and that the future remains strong.”

Source: “Million-Dollar Home Sales Thrive While Low End Stumbles,” Bloomberg Businessweek (May 2, 2014).”

10 Energy-Saving Tips for a Hot Summer

While reading my on-line Eco-Broker® newsletter this month, I noticed the following timely article which they sourced to “freshome Design & Architecture”. Since the islands have already had some 90-degree temperatures, these ten energy saving tips may come in handy:

“While we all look forward to the summer months for warmer weather, and enjoying the great summer nights, higher energy bills are not welcomed. Whether you are running your air conditioning more often, using more water to take showers, or you’re using more electricity to run fans to get a cool breeze, energy saving tips can help your pocket and the Earth. This summer before you crank down the air conditioning another 10 degrees, look to these energy saving tips to help you through this hot summer, your pocket will thank you!

“1. Replace your outdated air conditioning unit: If you live in a home that is over 20 years old, it may be time to consider purchasing a new unit that is more energy efficient. Even if you have lived in your home for a shorter period, but live in extreme climate areas, such as desert communities, also consider replacing your unit. Look for units that cost less to run and have energy approved program standards. This can differ depending on your geographic location.

“2. Alternate methods of cooking: Instead of using your oven everyday, consider using your microwave or grilling outside this summer. Heating your oven up daily adds more heat to your interiors and therefore requires your air conditioning cooling system to work harder and longer. If you do need to use your oven, consider baking in the morning hours when your air conditioning may not need to be used and it’s cooler outside.

“3. Automate your thermostat: If you are still using a manual thermostat to adjust the air conditioning in your home, consider replacing with an automatic one that can be programmed to keep your home warmer when you are not home. Then in turn, you can program it to come on before the family gets home.

“4. Keep the hot sun out of your home: When leaving your home, or in times of the day when the sun is at its hottest, pull your window treatments closed to block out warm rays. Your interior spaces will feel cooler and your air conditioner won’t work as hard.

“5. Give your air conditioning a break: Using a ceiling fan to move air around in your home instead of air conditioning can give a much needed break to your air conditioning. Save energy and cool your space down for less money with the use of oscillating room and ceiling fans.

“6. Take cooler and shorter showers: When taking a shower in your home, turn down the temperature of the hot water to save energy. Decrease the duration of how long you stay in the shower to save on your hot water tank usage. Consider installing a tankless water heater to heat water only when needed, as opposed to an entire tank, which sits in your garage, basement or utility space.

“7. Install more energy-efficient light bulbs: Change out your current incandescent bulbs to more efficient ones, for example: compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy to use as well as emit a brighter light. They also last longer, and therefore need to be replaced less often, in turn saving you money.

“8. Have you air conditioning unit serviced regularly: Ensure that you keep your air filters changed regularly per the manufacturers directions, and have a professional HVAC maintenance person service your unit every year. This will help your investment keep working properly for years into the future, while saving you money now.

“9. Ensure your air conditioning pipes are sealed: Examine the pipes, and connections, as well as vents in your home to ensure proper sealing and caulking between the connections. What’s the point in cooling your home, if half of the cool air is cooling the attic? If you’re not familiar with how to do this, have the HVAC maintenance person help you.

“10. Spend more time outside of your home: Summertime is a perfect excuse to get out and enjoy it! From swimming in community pools to having a picnic or getting exercise outdoors, spending less time in your house will help your energy consumption bill. While you can’t spend every minute outdoors, the summer weather should push you to the outdoors.

“Saving energy this summer shouldn’t be a major challenge. Use these 10 helpful energy saving tips to protect your wallet, save the Earth and keep you and your family cool this summer. There are hundreds of ways to save energy, do your part in making this summer enjoyable for all, and by keeping your energy consumption to minimum levels to give your pocket a break too!”

U.S. Climate Report Says Global Warming Impact Already Severe

Here are some excerpts from an article by Darryl Fears published in the “Washington Post” on Tuesday. Though this topic is not complete real estate related, perhaps these snippets will be a wake-up call to some.

“Global warming is rapidly turning America the beautiful into America the stormy, sneezy and dangerous.”

“The government’s newest national assessment of climate change declares that increased global warming is affecting every part of the United States. The report released Tuesday cites wide and severe impacts: more sea-level rise, flooding, storm surges, precipitation and heat waves in the Northeast; frequent water shortages and hurricanes in the Southeast and the Caribbean; and more drought and wildfires in the Southwest.

“Temperatures at sea, on land and on ice all point to a warming trend over the past century, according to several indicators in the government’s National Climate Assessment. “For a long time, we have perceived climate change as an issue that’s distant, affecting just polar bears or something that matters to our kids,” said Katharine Hayhoe, a Texas Tech University professor and a co-author of the report. “This shows it’s not just in the future; it matters today. Many people are feeling the effects.”

“The federal climate assessment — the third since 2000 — brought together hundreds of experts in academia and government to guide U.S. policy based on the best available climate science. The authors of the more-than-800-page report said it aims to present “actionable science” and a road map for local leaders and average citizens to mitigate carbon and other gas emissions that warm the planet….Echoing the findings of a recent global report by climate scientists at the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, U.S. scientists said that the climate is changing in the United States and that the warming of the past 50 years was primarily caused by emissions of heat-trapping gases released by humans. Burning coal for electricity, using gasoline to fuel vehicles, clear-cutting forests and engaging in certain agricultural practices that remove carbon-trapping vegetation contribute to the problem, the assessment said.

“By the end of the century, temperatures could be up to 5 degrees higher, even if the nation acts aggressively to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It could be up to 10 degrees hotter if emissions are high. The higher the temperature, the more dire the impact. Extreme weather in the United States caused by climate change has increased in recent decades, the report said.

“The decade starting in 2000 was the hottest on record, and 2012, the year Hurricane Sandy followed an epic summer drought, was the hottest ever recorded in the nation’s history, the report said. U.S. temperatures are 1.3 degrees to 1.9 degrees Fahrenheit higher now than they were in 1895, and most of that increase — 80% — occurred over the past 44 years, the assessment says.

“Alaska warmed twice as fast as the rest of the country in the past 60 years, leading to permafrost thaw that is causing highways and even airport runways to sink.

“The authors pointed to major concerns for the mid-Atlantic region, which includes the District, Maryland and Virginia. “As sea levels rise, the Chesapeake Bay region is expected to experience an increase in coastal flooding and drowning of wetlands” that protect against storm surge, the report said. That’s especially bad because the lower bay region is at higher risk as a result of sinking land. Water quality would decline and low-oxygen “dead zones” would increase.

“If there are higher greenhouse gas emissions, the majority of Maryland and Delaware, and parts of West Virginia and New Jersey, are projected to have 60 extra days per year of temperatures topping 90 degrees starting around the middle of the century, the report said.

“The effects sound alarming, but there are reasons to be optimistic that they can be mitigated, said David Wolfe of Cornell University, a lead co-author of the report’s chapter on change in the Northeast.

Business leaders are looking more toward investments in renewable energy, he said. This report, unlike the first two, has a Web site with interactive tools that show Americans how to reduce climate impacts.

“It will be a living document, a resource for people,” he said. “It’s a place to start….”

“The climate experts worked for several years, holding 70 workshops nationwide and revising the final drafts to reflect thousands of public comments. They were guided by a 60-member panel called the National Climate Assessment and Development Advisory Committee.

“Climate change is leading to heat-stress events, forcing people with respiratory illnesses to turn to devices such as inhalers or to hospitals, the federal assessment said. It is resulting in more severe allergies and waterborne illnesses as pathogens increase. Minority communities are particularly vulnerable….

“Thirty percent of carbon released into the atmosphere ends up in the ocean, leading to acidification that’s killing coral and shell life. Coral protects young fish from predators, and tiny shellfish, at the bottom of the food chain, help feed entire ecosystems….”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 2-9, 2014

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Captains Walk #A2 1/1 $259K, Sundial #K105 2/2 $888K, Sanibel Seaview #C3 4/4 $2.2M.

4 price changes: Sundial #C301 1/1 now $325K, Sundial #I301 1/1 now $350K, Shell Island Beach Club #5D 2/2 now $759K, Sayana #202 2/2 now $859K.

1 new sale: Sunset South #1C 2/2 listed for $439K.

4 closed sales: Mariner Pointe #1091 2/2 $375K; Sanibel Moorings #422 2/2 $449,999; Lighthouse Point #130 2/2 $440K; Beachcomber #C302 2/2 $1.6225M.

HOMES
2 new listings: 705 Oliva St 3/2 $799K, 5076 Joewood Dr 3/2 $975K.

9 price changes: 966 Fitzhugh St 2/1 now $299.9K; 5289 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 now $499,995; 2079 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 now $549K; 3001 Singing Wind Dr 3/2 now $559,555; 1744 Bunting Ln 4/2 now $599.7K; 497 Lake Murex Cir 4/3 now $715K; 987 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 now $729K; 4500 Waters Edge Ln 2/2 now $799K; 1206 Bay Dr 4/4.5 now $2.995M.

6 new sales: 2007 Mitzi Ln 3/2 listed for $399K, 736 Cardium St 3/2 listed for $439K, 1777 Serenity Ln 5/4.5 listed for $779K, 2667 Coconut Dr 3/3 listed for $825K, 4781 Tradewinds Dr 3/2 listed for 1.595M, 1077 Bird Ln 4/4/2 listed for $5.999M.

8 closed sales: 1846 Ardsley Way 2/2 $319.9K, 531 Birdsong Pl 3/2 $419K, 1121 Skiff Pl 3/2 $500K, 710 Pyrula Ave 2/2 $569.5K, 1356 Tahiti Dr 3/2 $645K, 4472 Waters Edge Ln 3/3 $700K, 1818 Buckthorn Ln 3/3 $850K, 5795 SanCap Rd 3/3 $990K.

LOTS

1 new listing: Beverly Ln, Lot 19 $196K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 4309 Gulf Pines Dr listed for $299K, 1042 Blue Heron Dr listed for $449K.

2 closed sales: 3334 Saint Kilda Rd $280K, 1837 Buckthorn Ln $314.5K.

Captiva
CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #5316 3/3 $639K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: Marina Villas #708 2/2 $557.5K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11547 Captiva Dr 2/2 $1.375M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 16464 Captiva Dr 8/8.5 listed for $7.995M.

1 closed sale: 11541 Laika Ln 4/4 $1.65M.

LOTS

Nothing to report

Happy Mother’s Day Weekend to all

Sanibel Scoop & Captiva Chatter

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

Tag Archives: Sanibel Island

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