Read On to Find Out Why the Magic Number Today is 12

Posted on January 14, 2022 by SanibelSusan

It is that time of the year when Floridians are especially grateful to be here. Though a cool front sometimes comes through in the winter, the weather here sure tops what is happening elsewhere.

One of those fronts just came through the islands. Though sunny and bright, it is breezy with temperatures only up into the high 60’s. Do visitors still fill the bike paths and beaches in their shorts and tee-shirts, “yes”. Meanwhile, locals are enjoying more fresh air and relish a chance to wear their long sleeves and an occasional sweater or jacket.

At the office, we continue to finalize action items for our upcoming closings and get ready for our big annual inventory mailing. If you are not already on our mailing list and want a copy of this report, please send your request to Susan@SanibelSusan.com. We update the islands residential inventory list (Sanibel & Captiva condos, homes, & lots) every weekend, so have it available anytime and email it often, but the bulk hardcopy mailing only goes out once a year (saving trees & $). It will go out in early February. (The data is from the local Multiple Listing Services as well as the county tax records.)

Yesterday afternoon, teammate Dave listed his in-laws off-island investment property. He probably set a record for a quick sale. Following several immediate inquiries/offers, he had it successfully under contract by 8 p.m.

So, as we continue to market for new listings, today the magic inventory number is 12. According to the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing service, now there are just 12 condos and 12 homes for sale on Sanibel, while on Captiva, there are 12 in total (4 condos plus 8 homes).

With most colleagues having buyers waiting in the wings, it is tough convincing those prospects that it is going to take a very long time for supply to meet demand. Meanwhile, the strong sellers’ market continues. I am meeting with condo owners tomorrow. Hopefully a new listing follows.

Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings

Last Friday, I attended the Florida Realtors® Resort and Second Home Think Tank meeting via Zoom. During that meeting, Kate Chunka, Vice Present of Industry Engagement at “Visit Florida” provided an update on that agency’s efforts including some interesting statistics. She said that every dollar spent results in $3.27 in tax revenue. Nearly 40% of that in 2020 was the impact of the pandemic on tourism with the third quarter last year exceeding any previous year. In 2021, from first through third quarter, 91.5 million visitors came to Florida. Numbers now are starting to exceed 2019 which was the highest recorded ever. For FY 2022-2023, a $50 million budget has been recommended.

Next, Florida Realtors® Vice President of Law/Policy and General Counsel, Juana Watkins provided an update on the legal options to address local short-term rental ordinance. That has become a huge problem in some areas. Luckily Sanibel and Captiva are proactive in that regard.

A legislative update then was provided by Andy Gonzalez, Florida Realtors® Public Policy Representative. He said, this week legislators are back in session in Tallahassee. On the Senate agenda is a discussion regarding short-term rentals.

He asked Realtor® Broker Marilue Maris from Walton County in the Panhandle to tell us how access to the gulf there is regulated. She described how beach access and use by the public is limited to only the areas of “wet” sand, with security guards sometimes patrolling to ensure that non-property owners don’t settle their chairs or blankets in dry areas. Wow!

Next week, I will be attending a “Florida Real Estate Trends” update by Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor. He is scheduled to update policymakers, residents, and Realtors® on what is ahead in 2022. Real estate drives Florida’s economy and as the COVID-19 pandemic continues into its second year, it sure would be nice to know what lies ahead.

Also on the agenda next week are the Forms Content Committee meeting, and Legal and Professional Standards Update – also good stuff to stay up on.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Tuesday was the first 2022 meeting of the local Association’s Professional Development Committee. Many educational classes for members already are scheduled with the focus of this meeting speakers for the upcoming monthly membership meetings. The first of those is February 24.

Our annual Realtors® lnstallation and Awards Breakfast was early yesterday at The Community House. Attendance was lighter than in normal times, but it was great to see many familiar faces in-person for the first time in more than two years.

Congratulations to the incoming Board of Directors and Officers (shown in the Association photo above) and the many “of the year” awards including 2021 Honor Society recipients (my 29^th year).

Though 2021 was a record one for island sales, we all hope that 2022 will be safer, less stressful – and that there will be more product to sell. The details on the activity posted since last Friday in the islands MLS are below.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 7‑14, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sundial #G104 2/2 $875K.

2 price changes: Mariner Pointe #421 2/2.5 now $759K, Sunset South #11C 2/2 now $1.095M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Pointe Santo #C3 3/2 $1.095M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 3324 Saint Kilda Rd 4/4 now $2.995M.

9 new sales: 804 Rabbit Rd 2/1 listed at $499K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $925K, 1133 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $945K, 1251 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 listed at $1.05M, 4737 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 listed at $1.6M, 719 Periwinkle Way 4/3 listed at $1.895M, 500 Kinzie Island Ct 3/3 listed at $2.295M, 5415 Osprey Ct 3/3 listed at $2.495M, 1360 Eagle Run Dr 5/3.5 listed at $2.695M.

1 closed sale: 1278 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $1.526M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 845 Pyrula Ave 525K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 3308 Saint Kilda Rd $640K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Land End Village #1659 2/2 now $1.345M.

1 new sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2236 2/2 listed at $1.3M.

1 closed sale: Gulf Beach Villas #2122 2/2 $1.075M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 57 Sandpiper Ct 2/2 listed at $1.399M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

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

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Enjoy your weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

It’s Almost 2022 on Sunny Sanibel

Posted on December 31, 2021 by SanibelSusan

As the sun gets ready to set on another year, why is it always a surprise when the islands are snarled with traffic during Christmas/New Year week? With mostly delightful weather (sunny with daytime temperatures high-70’s to mid-80’s), the causeway has been a slow crawl in the mornings from before the toll booth coming onto the island through the 4-way stop and down Periwinkle Way.

About 3 p.m., the same crawl begins in reverse making it a fun ride home in the evening. It sure appears that more folks have been enjoying things on-island this year.

Today, with holiday closings, there is less traffic and it started out foggy – an unusual occurrence here. It burned off about noon, but more fog is expected tomorrow morning with a cool front forecast to pass through Florida Monday. (That probably means daytime temperatures then will only go into the low 70’s that day.) Otherwise, the next ten days are expected to be sunny and warm.

A summary of the week’s real estate activity is after a couple of news items below. There have been a few more year-end closings so first an updated island inventory table. (Data from Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service as of 12/31/21.)

Hard to believe that there are only 19 Sanibel condos/homes for sale and that nearly 700 have gone under contract/sold this year.

Status	SANIBEL						CAPTIVA
	Condos		Homes		Lots		Condos		Homes		Lots
	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $
For sale	14	1,160,628	15	2,922,733	19	630,210	4	2,684,750	8	6,248,000	0	N/A
Under contract	27	900,883	31	1,662,258	7	676,840	5	905,600	3	5,361,333	0	N/A
Sold 2021	284	877,655	355	1,341,881	68	703,830	62	1,161,369	44	2,988,520	2	2,950,000

New Year Weekend Happenings

San-Cap Motor Club Cars and Coffee Cruise-in – Sat, Jan 1 at Periwinkle Place – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Sanibel-Captiva Audubon Society Bird Walk – Sat, Jan 1 on Wildlife Dr at J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge at 9 a.m. Meet in overflow parking lot on left as you enter the Refuge. On a side note, the Society’s annual Christmas Bird Count conducted Sun, Dec 18, with 108 participants counted a total of 10,869 birds comprised of 96 different species. The results of the San-Cap count are reported to the National Audubon Society and will become part of the 122^nd Audubon Christmas Bird Count. The overall count was below average. Warm temperatures up north may have delayed migrations could have played a part.
Sanibel-Captiva Polar Bear Plunge 2022 – Sat, Jan 1 at northside of Sanibel Causeway Island B. (Island closest to Sanibel). Registration begins at 11:30 a.m. At “crack of noon”, swimmers will plunge into the “frigid” (70 degree) water to kick off the new year!
Community House Arts & Crafts Show – Sun, Jan 2 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

New Lending Rules Threaten Some Condo Sales

By Kerry Smith, the below article was posted Dec 22 on FloridaRealtors®:

“Fannie and Freddie tighten condo-lending rules. Details vary, but they generally won’t back single-unit condo loans if a building has deferred maintenance issues.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – In response to the Surfside tragedy, Freddie Mac announced last week that it would immediately start taking a closer look at a condo development’s maintenance issues before approving individual loans. The change follows a similar announcement made earlier by Fannie Mae. The two mortgage giants back over half of all U.S. loans.

“The new requirements can be complex – Freddie Mac posted its announcement online – but they will generally deny condo and co-op unit loans if the building has deferred maintenance issues, special assessments to fix deferred issues or other problems.

“All changes announced in Freddie Mac’s bulletin “will be effective for Mortgages with Settlement Dates on or after Feb. 28, 2022.” Fannie Mae’s earlier bulletin says its rules will be “effective for whole loans purchased on or after Jan. 1, 2022, and for loans delivered into MBS pools with issue dates on or after Jan. 1, 2022.”

“Both policies “remain in effect until further notice.”

“As part of the process, Fannie Mae lenders will send condo managers a five-page form that must be completely filled out. Under the section that covers insurance types and amounts, it even includes instructions, such as “Do NOT enter ‘contact agent.’” The regulations apply to all condominiums with five or more units, even if that complex is otherwise exempt from review.

“While individual condo buyers may immediately face hurdles getting a loan approved, the tighter policies could have a longer-term impact on entire condominium complexes. Even condo associations without concerning maintenance issues could find that unit owners – without the backing of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac – will have a harder time selling their property if the new paperwork isn’t filled out correctly and returned promptly.

““Loans secured by units in condo and co-op projects with significant deferred maintenance or in projects that have received a directive from a regulatory authority or inspection agency to make repairs due to unsafe conditions are not eligible for purchase,” Fannie Mae states in its Oct. 13 announcement. And those projects “will remain ineligible until the required repairs have been made and documented.”

Fannie Mae considers acceptable documentation to be “a satisfactory engineering or inspection report, certificate of occupancy, or other substantially similar documentation that shows the repairs have been completed in a manner that resolves the building’s safety, soundness, structural integrity, or habitability concerns.”

“While Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s changes apply nationwide, Florida may feel a greater impact due to the number of condo buildings across the state. In addition, condo complexes that have deferred maintenance issues or one of the other problems noted won’t be approved for Fannie Mae- or Freddie Mac-backed loans until those issues have been fixed.”

Updated Captiva Land Development Code & Regulations

Realtors® were noticed this week (see letter below) following amendment approvals to Captiva’s land development code by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners. The new code revisions are shown below in red while some rule reminders are included too:

“CAPTIVA COMMUNITY PANEL

P.O. Box 72, Captiva, FL 33924-0072

“Dear Captiva Property Owners and Companies Doing Business on Captiva:

“The Lee County Board of County Commissioners has just approved amendments to the Captiva land development code. These changes were recommended by the Captiva Community Panel and they will keep our Village beaches pristine at the end of each day, protect our dark skies and reduce unnecessary light trespass onto neighboring properties, protect our bicyclists and pedestrians from dangerous conditions caused by overgrown vegetation on Captiva Drive, and reduce the number of contractor, design professional and real estate signs on our islands.

“It is important that all of us who live and work on Captiva review these new updates to the code as well as existing provisions which protect and preserve our fragile barrier island. The Panel believes in the power of community and in voluntary compliance with our codes and ordinances. Enforcement on Captiva should be necessary only as a last resort.

“To assist us, the Panel has summarized the new code provisions (in red) and reminds everyone of some of the existing regulations that apply to Captiva (in black). Please remember that Captiva is an unincorporated part of the Lee County and that many Lee County regulations (in addition to the Captiva-specific rules) apply to Captiva. We ask everyone to comply with them all.

“Beach Furniture and Equipment

All beach furniture and equipment when not in use and unoccupied must be removed from the beach between 9:00 p.m. and 8 a.m. at all times of the year between Alison Hagerup Park and the south end of Wiles Drive. Beach furniture and equipment not removed shall be considered abandoned property and subject to removal.

Remember: A similar rule applies to the rest of Captiva’s beaches during turtle season – from May 1 to October 31.

“Outdoor Lighting

All new outdoor lighting, including landscape spotlights, must be hooded or shielded so that the light source is masked, and does not shine beyond or above the structure, property or highest foliage to be illuminated or spill onto adjacent property. Fixtures attached to poles, trees or buildings must also be hooded or shielded, shall be no more than 15 feet above grade, and directed downward. No new or existing lights may be aimed, directed, focused onto adjacent property, or allowed to cause direct light or glare to be projected onto adjacent property. Seasonal decorations are permitted for up to 60 days per year.

“Captiva Drive Landscaping

No vegetation shall be allowed to grow on Captiva Drive or its paved shoulder. A setback of at least 2 feet from the edge of the pavement must be maintained at all times for all vegetation below the height of 8 feet.

“Signs on Captiva

All residential identification signs shall not exceed 6 square feet. Remember: The height of these signs may not exceed 4 feet above grade. If illuminated, the lights must shine downward and wattage may not exceed 36 watts per sign. Uplighting is prohibited and approval for electric hookup to illuminate a new sign must be obtained from Lee County.

All contractor, subcontractor, or design professional signs shall not exceed 6 square feet. There may be no more than 2 signs per property and they must be removed within 10 days of the issuance of the certificate of occupancy or certificate of compliance. Remember: Any design professional, landscaper or contractor signs not located at a work site under construction are prohibited and must be removed.

All real estate signs advertising a property for sale or rent in a residential neighborhood may not exceed 2 square feet in size with the bottom edge of the sign no more than 12 inches above the ground. A property is limited to one real estate sign at any given time.

Remember: Sandwich signs, banner signs, pennants, flying signs and neon signs are prohibited on Captiva. (There are some exceptions for short-term special events.)

“DON’T FORGET

Rentals: Residential dwelling units cannot be rented for less than a week on Captiva. The one-week minimum does not apply to rooms in hotels and motels.

Golf Carts: Golf carts can operate between South Seas and ‘Tween Waters, and at night with the required lights and equipment. But no one can operate a golf cart on Captiva without a valid driver’s license.

Parking: Parking on all Captiva streets is prohibited.

Littering: It is unlawful for any person to place litter on a street, beach, or waterway on Captiva. Litter includes cans, bottles, boxes, straws, paper, and cigarette butts.

Open Containers: It is illegal to carry an open alcoholic beverage or drink any alcoholic beverage on a street, sidewalk, beach, or parking lot on Captiva. It is also illegal to have an open container of an alcoholic beverage while a passenger in a car or on a golf cart.

Dunes: No person may harm or destroy a dune or dune vegetation on Captiva, or harass, molest or disturb wildlife. And no one may light or maintain any open fire on the beach.

Building Height Restrictions: Captiva has very strict building height restrictions and requirements from which no variances or deviations can be permitted. Anyone planning construction should review these regulations carefully.

“Please remember: This letter only summarizes the new regulations – and only lists some of the existing ones. If any of them apply to you, it is important to review the full text of the regulation. Amendments to our Noise, Fertilizer, Parking, Golf Cart and Septic regulations have been presented to the County for future adoption.

“2021 CAPTIVA COMMUNITY PANEL

Members: Ann Brady – Jay Brown – Ken Gill – John Jensen – Mike Kelly – Linda Laird

Mike Lanigan – Tony Lapi – R. Bruce McDonald – David Mintz – Bob Walter”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 24-31, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Pointe Santo #D41 2/2 $1.45M.

1 price change: Gulfside Place #117 2/2 now $1.789M.

3 new sales: Blind Pass #D102 2/2 listed at $625K, Sanibel Moorings #1132 2/2 listed at $799K, Pointe Santo #D37 2/2 listed at $1.395M.

3 closed sales: Captains Walk #B4 2/2 $510K, Loggerhead Cay #422 2/2 $769.9K, Sedgemoor #205 3/4 $4.27M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 2114 Egret Cir 3/2 $769K.

No price changes.

4 new sales: 9217 Dimmick Dr 3/2 listed at $699K, 5307 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/3 listed at $865K, 1347 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed at $1.498M, 2711 Wulfert Rd 4/4/2 listed at $1.595M.

9 closed sales: 1667 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/1.5 $650K, 1841 Ibis Ln 2/2 $680K, 4226 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 $852K, 2539 Coconut Dr 2/2 $1.1M, 1585 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $1.2M, 1410 Sanderling Cir 3/2 $1.2M, 737 Periwinkle Way 3/3 $1.9M, 807 Limpet Dr 3/2 $2.15M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 $2.9M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Bayside Villas #5320 3/3 $1M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: 16897 Captiva Dr 5/5.5 listed at $4.989M, 11548 Wightman Ln 4/4.5 listed at $7.5M.

1 closed sale: 15300 Captiva Dr 9/7 $6.19M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Happy New Year! Wishing your good health & safety, happiness & colorful sunsets in 2022!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

The SanibelSusan Team is Grateful! Another Listing Sold Christmas Eve Morning!

Posted on December 24, 2021 by SanibelSusan

After a couple of breezy days earlier in the week, the cool front now has passed through Florida. It caused more winter-like temperatures with lows into the 60’s both Tues and Wed nights, while daytime temps barely got into the 70’s. Low humidity too, which is a welcome change.

The forecasters say that today through Christmas and the days after, island temperatures again will reach into the 80’s. I just drove up Periwinkle and my car says it’s 75 degrees at 1 p.m. Christmas Eve. Great weather for a tropical holiday! Guess, we can save our holiday sweaters for another year.

This week and next, there are no Realtor® meetings/caravans scheduled, but teammate Dave held another Open House at our Sealoft Village listing just before it went under contract Tues. It was a busy week for all of our listings, with a nice closing on Monday and multiple offers on the others.

By this morning all of them are under contract. One condo sold by a Sanibel Realtor®, another by one from Ft. Myers, while I was the lucky one to put our last listing under contract. What a great Christmas Eve Day! We are thankful

It looks like this sale surge will continue into 2022. Supply and demand are in control with demand high and supply so limited. The SanibelSusan Team doesn’t see that changing anytime soon. Prospective buyers on the sidelines waiting for the market to normalize, may find that this is the new normal. We just hope we can find enough new listings to satisfy their needs.

The week’s details about the action in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follow a couple of news items below. First another update of island inventory today based on data from the islands MLS.

On Sanibel, just 53 properties (including condos, homes, & lots) are for sale,15 on Captiva. Year-to-date, 695 Sanibel properties have sold/closed, 106 on Captiva, plus another 69 are under contract on Sanibel, 7 on Captiva. Never, ever has the market been like this!

Status	SANIBEL						CAPTIVA
	Condos		Homes		Lots		Condos		Homes		Lots
	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $
For sale	16	1,103,050	18	2,644.111	19	630,210	4	2,684,750	11	6,247,545	0	N/A
Under contract	26	1,011,144	36	1,691,027	7	676,840	6	913,000	1	3,595,000	0	N/A
Sold to 12/24/21	281	867,274	346	1,340,276	68	703,830	61	1,164,014	43	2,914,067	2	2,950,000
Sold 2020	192	733,876	290	954,718	23	606,233	47	821,713	27	2,923,148	4	2,537,500
Sold 2005	232	758,507	260	1,028,584	68	496,726	45	863,642	31	2,309,758	0	N/A

Shell Museum Announces New Classes

The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum recently announced a new 2022 class lineup for adults. Taught by museum Curator and Science Director Dr Jose H. Leal, senior marine biologist Rebecca Mensch, and professor of drawing with Florida Gulf Coast university Ehren Gerhard, the spring lineup includes:

Feb 10 – Fantastic Shells & Where to Find Them
Mar 2 – San Carlos Bay – Bunche Beach Marine Biology & Field Lab
Mar 17 – Biodiversity & Taxonomy of Molusks
Mar 31 – Drawing & Illustrating Shells
Apr 13 – Shell Morphology: Understanding Shell Descriptions

Also, on the 4^th Tues of each month January through June, beginning at 5:30 p.m. after the museum, closes, they are offering “After Hours in the Aquariums” which will enable participants to experience the aquariums and marine life of the Living Gallery in an interactive program. Program tickets will include admission, tour, snacks, choice of beverage, and one museum pass redeemable for a future visit. Maximum capacity per event is 15 attendees, registration required at www.ShelMuseum.org/after-hours. Or for the classes, register at www.ShellMuseum.org/classes.

Living Shoreline Structure Completed on Woodring Rd

In their Wed, e-mail update, Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) posted a link to this article:

“Mangrove wetland habitats lining Southwest Florida’s coastlines are highly effective in diminishing wave action and damage from high winds. They also trap pollutants and provide crucial habitat for a host of sea life, including the endangered small-tooth sawfish (Pristis pectinata). When biologists notice areas of mangrove-covered shorelines disappearing from erosion, it is a cause for serious concern.

“Nearly 18 months ago, a Dutch marine biologist contacted SCCF about designing, funding, and installing a pilot project on Sanibel to protect mangroves threatened by erosion. This project, completely funded by the Dutch government, will provide an alternative to concrete and riprap, which often lead to additional mangrove loss.

“The Netherlands-based company, BESE Products, uses a biodegradable habitat restoration structure made from the production waste of potato chips and french fries. The waste is collected in the Netherlands and sent to Germany, where it is manufactured into a 3D lattice that helps deposit sediment and can protect mangrove seedlings along high-energy shorelines, such as those along Woodring Road. The goal of this project is to protect the mangroves along Woodring Road, a stretch of Sanibel’s shoreline that has been gradually disappearing over the past few decades.

“SCCF Coastal Watch volunteers spent several hours helping prepare these elements for installation. Hundreds of biodegradable sheets needed to be snapped together to form the completed structures. Volunteers also attached thousands of oyster shells to the structures to promote oyster attachment and growth. Volunteers handily completed this tedious task.

“On installation day, Dec. 20, the BESE structures were placed with rebar just off the shoreline along Woodring Road. With the assistance of 15 volunteers planting mangroves, hammering rebar, and transporting the material to the project site, the installation was completed in two hours. The newly installed temporary structures will allow a surface for oysters to start forming a reef and protect the mangroves from high wave action. The BESE structures are expected to last up to five years and leave behind an established oyster and mangrove habitat. If successful, this will be a positive alternative for future restoration projects.”

Florida. Grand Jury Recommends More Condo Inspections

Posted last weekend by Florida Realtors® and sourced to The Associated Press:

“A Grand Jury tasked with recommending Fla. condo law changes in the wake of the Surfside collapse wants more inspections, less corrosion and faster reporting.

“MIAMI (AP) – A Florida grand jury issued a lengthy list of recommendations Wednesday aimed at preventing another condominium collapse like the one that killed 98 people in June, including earlier and more frequent inspections, and better waterproofing.

“In its report on the Surfside collapse, the Miami-Dade County Grand Jury called on state and local officials to require condominium towers to have an initial recertification inspection by an engineer between 10 and 15 years after their construction and every 10 years thereafter. Currently, Miami-Dade and neighboring Broward County require inspections at 40 years. Other Florida counties have no requirement.

“Champlain Towers South, built in 1981, collapsed June 24 as its 40-year recertification was due. No cause of the collapse has been determined, but records show the building had significant structural damage in its underground parking garage. An engineer had already concluded that $15 million of repairs would be required to bring it up to code. Some of the damage at the oceanside building is believed to have come from saltwater in the air.

“The grand jury report laments that the state repealed a requirement imposed in 2008 requiring that all condo towers bigger than three stories be inspected every five years. The requirement was repealed two years after it was imposed because it was deemed too costly. “In hindsight, it would appear the Legislature’s repeal of that statute was a huge mistake!” the report says.

“Other recommendations include:

Requiring that condo towers be repainted and waterproofed every 10 years to prevent corrosion.
Having local governments increase the size of their building departments, including by hiring more inspectors.
Suspending for at least a year the licenses of engineers and architects who submit false or misleading recertification reports and barring their employers from doing such inspections for the same period. Requiring that a second offense result in a license revocation.
Requiring architects and engineers who find severe structural damage during an inspection to report it to local officials within 24 hours and not just to the condo board.
Requiring condo board owners to take courses on their role in overseeing building maintenance and effectively managing a building’s finances.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 17-24, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #1132 2/2 $799K, Heron at The Sanctuary III #1B 3/2.5 $875K, Sand Pointe #218 2/2 $1.099M, Pointe Santo #D37 2/2 $1.395M.

1 price change: Gulfside Place #210 2/2 now $1.5999M.

7 new sales: Duggers #1 1/1 listed at $475K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A101 2/2 listed at $665K, Donax Village #7 2/2 listed at $699K (our listing), Donax Village #9 2/2 listed at $750K, Sanibel Surfside #213 2/2 listed at $899K, Sealoft Village #109 2/2 listed at $899K (our listing), Tarpon Beach #106 2/2 listed at $1.095M.

2 closed sales: Donax Village #10 1 /2 $555.5K, Atrium #106 2/2 $1.71M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 543 East Gulf Dr 2/2 $3.5M.

No price changes.

3 new sales: 644 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $869K, 3702 Coquina Dr 2/2 listed at $899K, 857 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 listed at $1.795M.

3 closed sales: 719 Durion Ct 3/2 $995K, 375 East Gulf Dr 5/5 $2.9M (our listing), 1320 Seaspray Ln 3/4.5 $3.765M.

Resort-like pool at 375 East Gulf Dr

LOTS

No new listings, price changes.

1 new sale: 860 Lindgren Blvd listed at $1.2M (our listing & sale).

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Beach Villas #2635 3/3 $1.6M.

No price changes, new or closed.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

The team and I wish you a wonderful Christmas and safe/healthy 2022. Though the office will be closed tomorrow and New Year’s Day, we will be on our electronic devices and look forward to another successful year. We appreciate our readers and look forward to their business!

Happy holidays!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Countin’ Down to Christmas on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on December 10, 2021 by SanibelSusan

It has been another week of above average temperatures here on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. After several beautiful sunny blue-sky days, it was a surprise to wake up yesterday to heavy fog. It is rare to see any fog here, and especially rare that it did not burn off shortly after sunrise. Local forecasters say this was because of the mild temperatures, light winds, generous humidity (for Dec), and an absence of any strong cold fronts moving in the region. The photo below was taken at the lighthouse as the fog was starting to disappear, about 1 p.m. yesterday.

Daytime temperatures next week also are expected to be warm – into the low 80’s. It was blue sky, sunshine, and 82 degrees F, when I returned to the office today at 1 p.m. Santa better be readying his shorts and sandals.

National Association of Realtors® Economist Reaction to CPI

Always a fan of National Association of Realtors Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, here is his instant reaction to the Consumer Price Index info posted today (Dec 10, 2021):

“If you are younger than 40 years old, then you never have experienced such high inflation. Consumer prices rose 6.8% in November. We are already well aware of higher food and gasoline prices, up 6% and 58% respectively from a year ago. Rents are up 3% and accelerating at better than 5% on an annualized basis. The heating bill will not be pretty, as natural gas prices are higher by 25%. This rapid inflation is the reason higher mortgage rates are expected in 2022. The Federal Reserve will have to raise interest rates to contain them. The average 30-year fixed mortgage rate is likely to reach 3.7% by the end of 2022 from the current near 3% rate.

“One aspect of inflation is that real estate has proven to be a good hedge. In the 1970’s, a high inflationary period when CPI averaged 7.1% per year, home price gains outpaced inflation with a 9.9% gain. Even when interest rates soared in the 1980’s and thereby crushed home sales, home prices still held up to consumer price inflation: 5.5% versus 5.6%. That’s because rents were soaring. Other decades also show similar patterns. Therefore, for those concerned about the loss in purchasing power of money and savings, be assured that real estate has proven to be a good hedge against inflation.”

At SanibelSusan Realty

SanibelSusan listings had some good action this week, with Dave continuing to hold Open Houses. The activity posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news item below.

The team and I also got some things completed on a couple of sales in our pipeline. The buyers flew in to see the Sanctuary home they are closing on in January. Their timing was perfect as they got to hear details about the property directly from the sellers who built the home. It is not often here that buyers and sellers meet, so it was special.

Dave and I also attended the Gulf Pines home inspection with buyers for the home they put under contract last week. The seller’s agent was there too, while Lucas Stokes with Allied Building Inspection Services performed the inspections. We always recommend inspectors that also are authorized to prepare 4-point inspections and wind mitigation reports needed for insurance. When those inspections are done at the same time as other property inspections, it saves $.

More Island Holiday Fun

New landscaping is going in at Bank of the Islands. Here is a photos of one of their holiday “dog” decorations.

South Seas Island Resort 9th Annual Holiday Stroll – This is when the resort opens to the public and invited to view thousands of twinkling lights, visit Santa, taste s’mores, listen to live music, and watch holiday movie classics. The remaining days open to the public are tonight and tomorrow night, Dec 10 and 11, plus Dec 17 and 18 – from 6 to 9 p.m. Stroll tickets are $10 per adult with proceeds helping Captains for Clean Water. Tickets are complimentary for resort guests.

Captiva Chapel by the Sea 11^th Annual Community Carol Sing – Sunday, Dec 12 from 6 to 7 p.m. with seating both outside and inside the chapel. More info at http://www.captivachapel.com.

Sanibel Public Library Again Ranks High

For about 15 years, The Sanibel Library has been at or near the top ranking in Florida. This year is no exception. The state library rankings are out, and the Sanibel Library ranked number one per capita (per 1,000) for circulation (number of books or items borrowed), availability of print, audio, video, and other materials to check out, website visits per capita, and square footage availability. The ratings are based on Florida Library Statistics which measures 82 libraries and library systems.

In addition to the state rankings, the library has won annual Star Library awards (top 200 public libraries of 9,000 measured nationally) from the Library Journal in five of the last 10 years. It has been No 1 on TripAdvisor for “Things to do on Sanibel” and has earned TripAdvisor’s Certificate of Excellence awards.

The library is open Mondays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Visit www.sanlib.org for more information.

Fun Facts About Florida

Perfect Lawn & Pest Control’s November/December 2021 newsletter highlights some fun facts about Florida. I bet they don’t mind if I give them a shout-out and share them:

“Florida is similar in size to England and Wales COMBINED.
Key West has the highest recorded average temperature in the United States.
Florida has 1,197 statue miles of coastline and 663 miles of beaches.
No matter where you are in Florida, you are never more than 60 miles from the ocean.
Clearwater is the city with the highest rate of lightning strikes per capita in the United States. It also is listed in the Guinness Book of Records for having the most days of sunshine.
Florida is the flattest state in America.
Siesta Key beach won an award in 1987 for having the finest whitest beach sand in the world – It is 99% pure quartz crystal and is, therefore, cool to the feet.
A woman can be fined for falling asleep under a hair dryer in Florida – The salon owner can also be fined.
State law dictates that, if an elephant is left tied to a parking meter, the parking fee has to be paid just as it would for a vehicle.
Doors to public buildings in Florida must open outward – In case of an emergency, exiting the building is more efficient.
Walt Disney Resort encompasses 30,500 acres, making it approximately the same size as San Francisco.
Can you guess the number of stones in Cinderella’s Castle? Zero – the whole shell of the building is fiberglass.
Happy Hour begins at 9 a.m. at the Schooner Wharf Bar in Key West.
Florida has more golf courses than any state in America and has over 30,000 lakes.
An unmarried woman is not permitted to parachute on Sunday. She can face a fine or even be arrested.
There are no dinosaur fossils in Florida.
Florida’s oldest tree is 3,500 years old and is still standing – It is a cypress tree called “Senator” located just north of Longwood at Big Tree Park.
Once a year, thousands of Floridians stand at the state line and toss dead fish into Alabama – It is the annual Mullet toss sponsored by Flora-Bama Beach Bar in Pensacola.
In 1996, Miami installed the first bank ATM in Florida specifically designed for rollerbladers who couldn’t go inside the bank.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 3-10, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Tarpon Beach #106 2/2 $1.095M, Pointe Santo #D5 2/2 $1.3M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Lighthouse Point #212 3/2 listed at $929K, Nutmeg Village #308 2/2 listed at $1.2499M.

5 closed sales: Sundial #F407 1/1 listed at $569K, Sanibel Arms West #J1 2/2 listed at $679K, Oceans Reach #4C1 2/2 listed at $875K, Sand Pointe #228 2/2 $1.05M, Compass Point #133 3/2 listed at $1.625M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 644 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $869K, 697 Birdie View Pt 3/2 $1.495M.

No price changes.

6 new sales: 1841 Ibis Ln 2/2 listed at $628.5K, 697 Birdie View Pt 3/2 listed at $1.495M, 1245 Par View Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.575M, 853 Tulip Ln 3/2 listed at $1.735M, 1356 Eagle Run Dr 5/5.5 listed at $2.295M, 1304 Seapray Ln 3/2.5 listed at $4.695M.

6 closed sales: 2138 Egret Cir 3/2 $710K, 2548 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $934.5K, 4619 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $976K, 4077 Coquina Dr 3/2 $1.299M, 1665 Sabal Palm Dr 3/2 $2.22M, 1237 Isabel Dr 6/6.5 $3M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 3308 St. Kilda Rd listed at $649K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #4306 3/3 $850K.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 57 Sandpiper Ct 2/2 $1.399M.

No price changes or new,sales.

1 closed sale: 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 $2.625M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Enjoy your weekend! Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Post Thanksgiving Update from Sunny Sanibel Island

Posted on November 26, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Susan here reporting that the island has had nice holiday weather with mostly blue skies since Wednesday. Though temperatures have dipped into the 50’s a couple of nights and are expected to do the same over the weekend, the mostly sunny daytime temperatures in the mid to high 70’s are delightful.

Christmas holiday decorations are starting to go up in a few locations. Islanders are excited to again experience more traditional local luminary festivities this year. Sanibel Luminary, always the first Friday evening in December, is next Friday Dec 3, followed by Captiva’s, the next evening, on the first Saturday or Dec 4. These celebrations are 5 to 9 p.m. when bike paths and roadways are lined with luminary candles and shops/businesses are open offering holiday cheer, special sales, and family events. Below are some upcoming special happenings on and around the islands:

Upcoming Events

Tween Waters 2021 Tree Lighting Celebration – is today, Friday, Nov 26 from 5 to 9 p.m. following the tree lighting at 4:30 p.m.

Edison & Ford Winter Estates 46^th Annual “Holiday Nights” – celebration kicks off tonight, Nov 26 with tree lighting ceremony at 6 p.m. This year’s theme is “Holidays Under the Stars”, incorporating elements of nature & the outdoors. Holiday Nights will be open on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve, but closed Christmas Day. Through Jan 2, guided Holiday Tradition Tours will be offered at 6 and 7 p.m. every night, or attendees may meander at their own pace on a self-guided tour. Guided Inside-the-Homes tours will be offered on Dec 1, 8, and 15 at 6:30 p.m. To view the complete schedule of events, visit http://www.Edison-Ford.org.

Sanibel-Captiva Lions Club Christmas Tree Sale – begins tomorrow, Saturday Nov 27, and runs through Sunday, Dec 19 (or until they run out). Located at the old gas station in Bailey’s Shopping Center, sales are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wed through Sun, offering fresh Michigan Frasier Fir trees, tree stands, & wreaths.

Pre-Luminary Open House at Sanibel Historical Village – featuring “Trees, Timelines, & Special Memories”, village admission is free from 3:30 to 5 p.m. Friday, Dec 3.

Luminary at Sanibel Community Church – Friday, Dec 3, Holly & Ivy Bazaar & Silent Auction from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. with the out-door events from 5 to 9 p.m. They include live nativity, music, petting zoo, kids snowball play area, Christmas carol sing-along, food, & fun.

Luminary at Jerry’s Center – Friday, Dec 3 from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Their celebration includes photos with Santa, Girl Scouts serving hot dogs & soda, live music, wine & food tastings, & more.

Luminary at Olde Sanibel Shoppes – Friday, Dec 3 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Island Brass is playing at the Over Easy Café outdoor patio. Join their sing-along at 8.

Sentimental Journey by Captiva Historical Society – This salute to the WWI years on Captiva through imagery, narrative, & song is Tuesday, Dec 7 at 7 p.m. in the South Seas Island Resort ballroom. Complimentary tickets for WWII veterans & spouses, others $12/person through EventBrite.com.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate Update

It is that time of the year when more listings pop on the market as owners return to get their properties ready for “season”. Some are selling quickly, others taking a little longer. The large ones, particularly on the beach, continue to move best.

The post-pandemic pent-up demand includes many buyers wanting not just a reprieve from winter weather, but a place where they can spend more time, often working remotely.

Below is an update with data from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service as of today, Nov 26. Unbelievable that there are just 58 properties for sale on Sanibel and 12 on Captiva when this quarter and next are usually when there are the most island sales.

Year-to-date on Sanibel, a whopping 656 properties have sold, 98 on Captiva. Another 75 on Sanibel are under contract, 14 on Captiva. It certainly is a year for the record books in many ways. Inventory today, sales this year, and comparisons to 2020 and 2005 (when there were the most sales) are shown.

Also, this week, The Blue Dolphin Cottages, a commercial property at 4227 West Gulf Dr closing was posted for $5,300,000.

If you are thinking of selling or buying, please contact us. Now more than ever, it is important to have a well-connected island Realtor® in your corner. This one celebrates her 30^th year here in January. Time flies!

Status	SANIBEL						CAPTIVA
	Condos		Homes		Lots		Condos		Homes		Lots
	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $
For sale	17	1,035,282	21	2,764,285	20	686,450	4	2,709,750	8	5,627,375	0	N/A
Under contract	29	1,006,408	39	1,686,769	7	530,982	7	732,000	7	4,062,571	0	N/A
Sold to 11/26/21	263	857,884	326	1,321,737	67	707,619	58	1,199,912	38	2,874,865	2	2,950,000
Sold 2020	192	733,876	290	954,718	23	606,233	47	821,713	27	2,923,148	4	2,537,500
Most Sold 2005	232	758,507	260	1,028,584	68	496,726	45	863,642	31	2,309,758	0	N/A

Next is all the island action posted this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity November 19-26, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Donax Village #7 2/2 $699K (our listing).

Donax Village #7, 732 Donax St

4 price changes: Sandalfoot #5B1 1/1 now $768K, Pointe Santo #C3 3/2 now $1.095M, Gulfside Place #124 2/2 now $1.459M, Gulfside Place #210 2/2 now $1.649M.

8 new sales: Donax Village #10 1/2 listed at $539K, Blind Pass #A202 2/2 listed at $629K, Donax Village #17 2/2 listed at $719K, Sanibel Inn #3421 2/2 listed at $899K, Sand Pointe #228 2/2 listed at $1.095M, Compass Point #141 3/2 listed at $1.407M, Gulfside Place #124 2/2 listed at $1,459M, Sedgemoor #205 3/4 listed at $4.295M.

4 closed sales: Mariner Pointe #231 2/2 $636K, Villa Sanibel #3A 2/2 $817K; Pointe Santo #B36 2/2 $1,389,100; Pointe Santo #B46 2/2 $1.395M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 9217 Dimmick Dr 3/2 $699K, 1356 Eagle Run Dr 5/5.5 $2.295M, 807 Limpet Dr 3/2 $2.295M.

1 price change: 1320 Seapray Ln 3/4.5 now $4.195M.

3 new sales: 6429 Pine Ave 3/2 listed at $869K, 1410 Sanderling Cir 3/2 listed at $1.2M, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 listed at $2,999,999.

2 closed sales: 700 Birdie View Pt 3/2 $850K, 5298 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2.5 $985K.

LOTS

2 new listings: 223 Robinwood Cir $425K, 1340 Eagle Run Dr $520K.

1 price change: 4767 Tradewinds Dr now $2.149M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 5633 Baltusrol Ct $365K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Tennis Villas #3120 1/1 listed at $480K.

2 closed sales: Bayside Villas #5102 1/2 $549K, Lands End Village #1663 2/2 $1.35M.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Enjoy your weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Counting Down to Labor Day at SanibelSusan Realty

Posted on September 3, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Thanks to friends Doris & Hans for this photo of Roseate Spoonbills. Love that pink!

It has been seven quiet days on the islands with little affects noticed here when Hurricane Ida passed out in the Gulf last weekend. Now our thoughts are with those from Louisiana into New England that have been ravaged by that far-reaching storm.

Here the haze-causing Saharan dust still is noticeable when crossing the causeway. The news says it has caused some discomfort to those with allergies, but it has worked in keeping tropical storms away from SW FL. So far, 2021 has been a lucky one for us at least as far as hurricanes are concerned.

Our first “cold front” arrived yesterday. With heavy rain much of that day and again this morning, the daytime temperatures got down into the mid-70’s. High temperatures only the mid-80’s are expected for the next seven to ten days. Maybe fall is arriving early!

SanibelSusan Realty

Teammate Dave and I have been covering the office this week. We had closings both Monday and Tuesday; then on Wednesday, Dave put his Estero listing under contract. Another of our Sanibel listings is scheduled to close after the holiday too. We like weeks like these, particularly in the off-season! The team and I continue to look for new listings as there still Is little inventory.

After a couple of news items below is the week’s report of the action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. First, a summary of Sanibel and Captiva residential inventory today (Sep 3, 2021) with data from islands MLS. Though, September is usually the slowest month, it sure would be great for more properties to become available. We have buyers and colleagues do too!

Status	SANIBEL						CAPTIVA
	Condos		Homes		Lots		Condos		Homes		Lots
	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $	#	Avg $
For sale	15	905,793	23	2,926,654	16	587,875	3	1,496,666	12	5,827,249	0	N/A
Under contract	25	795,556	40	1,553,047	8	478,929	6	2,211,500	3	2,479,666	0	N/A
Sold 2021 to-date	215	870,579	274	1,310,921	59	747,110	43	1,046,916	35	2,807,868	2	2,950,000
Sold 2020	192	733,876	290	954,718	23	606,233	47	821,713	27	2,923,148	4	2,537,500

Temporary Closings

As in past Septembers, several island restaurants are taking time off, some for vacations, some for deep-cleans and annual maintenance. Here are the ones we have heard about:

Bleu Rendez-Vous Bistro – closed thru Sep 30, reopens Oct 1.
Blue Giraffe at Periwinkle Place – closed Sep 7-20, reopens Sep 21.
Blue Giraffe 2 at Beachview Estates – closed Sep 5-20, reopens Sep 21.
Mad Hatter – closed Sep 6-30, reopens Oct 1.
Paper Fig Kitchen – closed Sep 6-13, reopens Sep 14.
Rosie’s Café & Grill – closed Sep 6-13, reopens Sep 14.
The Sandbar Steak & Seafood – closed thru Sep 29, reopens Sep 30.
Spoondrift Island Bowls – closed thru Sep 6, reopens Sep 7.
Sweet Melissa’s Café – closed Sep 5-20, reopens Sep 21.
Traders – closed Sep 11 thru Oct 5, reopens Oct 6.
Traders 2 (T2) – closed Sep 4 thru Oct 4, reopens Oct 5.
Traditions on the Beach – closed Sep 5-23, reopens Sep 24.

CROW Visitor Education Center will be closed Sep 6 thru 10 for fall cleaning. They will reopen Sep 13 and are offering some new presentations. Tours are available Monday thru Friday at 11 a.m. with masks required. Each tour is limited to eight people (over the age of 13) and advance registration is required. More info at http://www.CROWClinic.org.

J.N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge – Wildlife Drive, Bailey Tract, and Tarpon Bay Explorers will be open on Labor Day, while the Visitor & Education Center, the Nature Store, and all administrative offices will be closed Monday. Reminder: The Visitor & Education Center and Refuge Nature Store currently are closed every Friday and Sunday because of staff shortages due to the pandemic. Wildlife Drive closes every Friday throughout the year. Restrooms remain open.

COVID-19 Update

Florida continues to report a record-number of COVID-19 cases. Locally, the Lee Health System is maxed out with a temporary suspension of elective hospital procedures that require an overnight stay. They also have temporary restrictions on hospital visitations. On a more positive note, Lee Health is making its Lee Telehealth service free until further notice. It connects patients with a physician or advanced provider and is available 24/7. The COVID-19 monoclonal antibody treatment offered locally also is beginning to show good results and is expected to keep the number of hospitalizations down.

According to Lee Health’s website, quarantine is recommended for those who have a known or suspected exposure to COVID-19. During quarantine, you should stay home, away from other people, except for medical care or basic necessities. If you must take care of a family member, they also must quarantine. Quarantine lasts for 14 days – this allows enough time to develop an infection from exposure. Sometimes you may be requested to test during this time, BUT a negative test at any point does not end quarantine sooner,

Isolation is recommended for those who have a suspected COVID infection or receive a 1^st positive test for COVID. You should stay away from people except for medical care or basic necessities. If a family member must take care of you, they will need to quarantine after you are well (or after their last exposure to you while you are on isolation.) Isolation lasts for at least 10 days. These 10 days begin with your first symptom or positive test (if asymptomatic). This means if you become sick while on quarantine, your 10 days starts at that time – not at the beginning of the quarantine. If you improve and have no fever at the end of the 10 days, isolation may stop. Repeat testing is not recommended.

Here is their COVID-19 update from yesterday, Sept 2, 2021:

“As of today, Lee Health has:

– 596 COVID-19 patients isolated in our hospitals (inpatient).

– Of these patients, 12 of them are children being treated at Golisano Children’s Hospital of Southwest Florida.

– Yesterday, we had 60 new COVID-19 hospital admissions and 64 COVID-19 discharges.

– 50% of our ventilators and 3% of our ICU rooms are available for use. We have 86 COVID-19 patients on ventilators and 113 in the intensive care unit.

– This morning, census was at 101% of staffed operational bed capacity.

“OTHER UPDATES:

“For just the second time in the last month, Lee Health has discharged more COVID-19 patients than we’ve admitted over the last 24 hours, and this is the fewest number of COVID-19 patients we are treating since August 20. We hope that this slight downturn will accelerate and continue over the next few weeks.

“While this is promising, we are still not out of the woods. Lee Health hospitals are still at capacity, and we are seeing more patients than ever. This is why it remains as important as ever to get vaccinated if you haven’t already. Widespread vaccination in our community can help prevent another surge like the one we are currently experiencing, especially as we move closer to our seasonal months.

“Lee Health offers COVID-19 vaccines for anyone 12 and older at its walk-in Community Vaccination Clinic, located inside Gulf Coast Medical Center. It’s open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 7:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. and there is no cost for the vaccine.”

Nearly 1000 People Moving to Florida Every Day

A Fox 4 post by Cindy Preszler this week says: “We never have to deal with ice or snow. Extreme cold is foreign to us. This is SWFL. The weather is one of the reasons so many people are moving to our state, there are other reasons too but you just can’t beat this stuff.

“The latest stats from snntv.com indicate that nearly 1000 people move here every day and many are coming from northern states like New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. According to move.org, Florida was the most moved to state in 2020.

“And why not? Chick out the weather/climate stats for Fort Myers. The average annual high is 85, and the low is 65… not too hot, not too cool.

“July and August are the hottest months with an average high of 92… it’s rare to see temps in the upper 90’s. Ad when most folks are shivering in January, highs are typically in the 70’s down here.

“Our wettest month is August with almost ten and a half inches on average. But in February and November… oh it’s so beautiful… not even two inches typically falls.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 27-September 3, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Breakers West #C2 2/2 $749K, Breakers West #C4 2/2 $749K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Blind Pass #C110 2/2 listed at $539K, Sundial #C308 1/1 listed at $575K.

View from Gulf Beach #106

6 closed sales: Sundial #I103 1/1 $500K, Mariner Pointe #712 2/2.5 $620K, Mariner Pointe #631 2/2 $685K, Gulf Beach #106 2/2 $893K (our listing), Sanddollar #C101 2/2 $1.15M, Somerset #D202 3/2 $1.7M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 719 Durion Ct 3/2 $1.025M, 5880 San-Cap Rd 3/2 listed at $1.35M, 2480 Harbour Ln 3/3.5 listed at $1.9645M.

2 price changes: 4771 Tradewinds Dr 3/3 now $2.99M, 1146 Golden Olive 5/4 now $2,999,999.

2 new sales: 5747 Pine Tree Dr 3/3 listed at $1.799M, 4949 Joewood Dr 5/5 listed at $4.295M

3 closed sales: 1702 Bunting Ln 4/3 $749.5K, 565 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $899K, 2367 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 $1.85M (our sale).

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS, HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

Enjoy your weekend!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Happy Mothers Day Sanibel Style – Mama Osprey Feeding Her Chicks

Posted on May 7, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Happy Friday, it is Susan reporting another beautiful Friday on sunny Sanibel with more perfect weather expected over the Mothers’ Day weekend. The SanibelSusan Team hopes your weekend also is a sunny one. Here is a sweet photo compilation from our pal Scott of the osprey nest at his island home. If you saw the three chicks in the photos he shared last week, look how big they are getting as their mama feeds them. Thanks for sharing, Scott!

At SanibelSusan Realty

Here at the office, the team and I are working through action items with a couple of listings under contract and coordinating showings at our remaining condo listing which already has two lined up for tomorrow during the brief 2-hour turn-over window.

This week, I also received several calls from owners thinking of selling, but unfortunately, if they do not have somewhere to go, finding alternative housing on-island now is as tough as finding rentals for next winter. Here is a colorful photo taken this morning during a spin through Sanibel’s Seagull Estates – we usually call this tree a Royal Poinciana but the pix illustrates why it is called a Flamboyant tree in the Caribbean. We always know it is May when these trees burst into bloom!

Wednesday, I showed a special property. With just 12 homes for sale on Captiva, it was fun to show the spectacular “Pink House” which is the first property after the Santiva bridge going onto Captiva. I had not been inside since before it sold in 2014. Today, it is even more stunning. With sunrise views out the back overlooking Blind Pass Bay to Roosevelt Channel and sunset views over the gulf out the front, plus the beach land across the street. The charming interior spans four levels (with elevator) and features jaw-dropping views from every floor, nearly every room. Beyond the interior living spaces are a waterside open deck, screened porch, new dock with lift and boat, spacious garage and storage spaces, whole-house generator, plus expansive outdoor entertainment area and pool. Big thanks to Royal Shell listing agent, Realtor® Trevor Nette, for making it easy to show. With six bedrooms, four and a half baths, it certainly is big enough.

Yesterday, working with another client, I showed a Sanibel home that had only been on the market for a few hours. It already had an offer over asking price and two other lookers. It certainly is challenging when there are not enough listings for the demand. No one wants to get into a bidding war, but until things change – will they ever? – if buyers see something they like, they should grab it as who knows when, or if, another opportunity will come along.

Yesterday I also attended a Zoom class. First time offered by Florida Realtors® and by popular instructor and Realtor® friend, Patti Ketcham from Tallahassee, this class covered Florida’s two trust funds that are part of Florida’s Affordable Housing Act.

Passed in 1992, at the urging of Florida’s builders and Realtors®, this Act raised the state’s documentary tax stamp on deeds by ten cents per $100 of the property value. The funds were directed to two trust funds – one for local governments and one for the state – SHIP and SAIL.

SHIP (State Housing Initiative Partnership) primarily funds the production and preservation of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income households.
SAIL (State Apartment Incentive Loan) program provides funding for the construction and rehabilitation of multifamily rental housing.

Particularly with today’s real estate boom in Florida and lack of affordable housing, Patti urged the 200+ class attendees to get involved and her class explained how to do it. (To further toot, Patti’s horn, she also is an appointed Florida Real Estate Commissioner, presiding as their chair in 2020. She has been Florida Realtors® Educator of the Year and is the recipient of such fun feedback comments as “she’s such as great instructor I would sit in her class for 8 hours discussing dandruff, yard weeds, fungus, fingernails, factory smog, or spelling.”) She definitely is inspiring!

The action reported since last week in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below.

Florida Realtors® Fight for Environment

Posted Wed, May 5 on FloridaRealtors® on-line: “In July, Realtors across Fla. will clean the state’s beaches, rivers and waterways – a hands-on approach that complements legislative efforts to protect the environment.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – If there is one thing Realtors® in Florida understand well, it is the timeless allure of a beautiful home on the shores of a sandy beach or the banks of crystal-clear natural springs. It’s that allure that makes Florida so attractive to out-of-state buyers who dream of spending weekends sunning on some of the best beaches in the world, paddle-boarding a nearby river or hiking along a pristine freshwater spring hoping to spy a manatee or two.

“While Florida Realtors®’ members understand that although Florida must continue to develop its communities and the industries that support them, it also understands that it cannot be growth at any cost. In its more than 100-year history, Florida Realtors has been a leading voice to protect our state’s waterways. In the past decade alone, Florida Realtors PAC-supported lawmakers have allocated billions of dollars toward environmental projects that renourish beaches, clean springs, preserve the Everglades and fight the negative impacts of red tide.

““Florida Realtors has made it a top priority to advocate for preserving and protecting Florida’s water resources. Florida’s a destination to live, work and play because of our beautiful waterways and beachlines,” says Florida Realtors 2021 President Cheryl Lambert. “We’ve conducted studies tying home values to water quality, urged lawmakers to prioritize funding, and launched Florida waters’ largest statewide clean-up event in 2020.”

“It’s not just political lip service. Realtors know that, sometimes, the best way to make something happen is to get your hands dirty and do it yourself. This July, for the second year in a row, Realtors will fan out across their communities, descending upon lakes, rivers, springs and beaches around the state with a singular goal: to clean and protect precious and vital waterways.

“The event, Florida Realtors Clean Up Florida Waters, is organized by local Realtor associations, Florida Realtors district vice presidents, local Realtor organizations’ Young Professional Networks as well as individual brokerages and Realtor members.”

Sanibel’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Ends

Following action this week by Florida Governor Ron DeSantis to suspend all local COVID-19 emergency mandates, Sanibel’s State of Emergency was not extended and expired at midnight Tues, May 4. With that expiration, the Sanibel’s Covid-related restrictions including the City-wide face-covering mandate also expired. City businesses retain the authority to regulate mask requirements within their establishments. Additionally, Sanibel City Council took the following actions related to Covid-19:

The temporary outdoor dining approved during the Statement of Emergency will be allowed to continue while City Council considers legislation to permanently allow outdoor dining (which was temporarily permitted during the pandemic).
City buildings, including Sanibel City Hall offices will be open to the public, at this time face coverings will continue to be required inside all City buildings, including the Recreation Center.
Covid-related restrictions on Special Events implemented by Sanibel City Council are lifted.
Sanibel City Hall Council Chambers public seating is increased to 50% capacity.
The Sanibel Farmers Market will determine their own face covering policies.

The number of Sanibel Covid-19 cases reported from March 26, 2020 through May 4, 2021 is 256. Captiva’s cases total 12.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity April 30-May 7, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Captains Walk #B2 1/1 $299,999; Spanish Cay #D6 2/2 $569K; Pointe Santo #B25 2/2 $829K; Pointe Santo #C3 3/2 $1.099M.

1 price change: Pointe Santo #C43 3/2 now $1.05M (our listing).

View from Pointe Santo #C43

8 new sales: Kimball Lodge #264 1/1.5 listed at $570K, Loggerhead Cay #261 2/2 listed at $714.5K, Pointe Santo #A1 2/2 listed at $889K, Loggerhead Cay #523 2/2 listed at $945K, Sanibel Surfside #115 2/2 listed at $1.05M, Sunset South #4D 2/2 listed at $1.05M, Cyprina Beach #3 3/3 listed at $1.6M, Pointe Santo #A47 3/2 listed at $1.995M.

8 closed sales: Sanibel Moorings #242 1/1 $405K, Blind Pass #E101 2/2 $480K, Loggerhead Cay #373 2/2 $660K, Pointe Santo #E2 2/2 $920K, Sanibel Arms West #D6 2/2 $940K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #1-5 $950K, Tarpon Beach #206 2/2 $995K, Compass Point #102 2/2 $1.275M.

HOMES

12 new listings: 9214 Kincaid Ct 2/2 $695K, 1585 Serenity Ln 3/3 $749K, 223 Southwinds Dr 3/2 $815K, 1371 Tahiti Dr 2/2 $839K, 4598 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $849K, 770 Donax St 2/2 $850K, 750 Nerita St 3/2 $899K, 915 Palm St 3/2 $995K, 221 Robinwood Cir 3/2 $999K, 1362 Tahiti Dr 4/3 $1.295M, 939 Beach Rd 3/2.5 $1.65M, 4949 Joewood Dr 5/5 $4.395M.

2 price changes: 486 Surf Sound Ct 3/3.5 now $1.2M, 930 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 now $1.695M.

10 new sales: 966 Fitzhugh St 2/1 listed at $589K, 604 Sea Oats Dr 3/3 listed at $949.9K, 1747 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 listed at $999K, 2755 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 listed at $1.098M, 820 Angel Wing Dr 3/2 listed at $1.45M, 3385 Twin Lakes Ln 5/5 listed at $1.695M, 6418 Pine Ave 3/3 listed at $1.789M, 1460 Middle Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed at $1.799M, 2857 Wulfert Rd 4/5 listed at $1.895M, 1020 Bayview Dr 5/5.5 listed at $4.595M.

13 closed sales: 1339 Tahiti Dr 3/2 $485K, 1606 Bunting Ln 3/2 $649K, 2985 Island Inn Rd 2/2 $649K, 2010 Wild Lime Dr 4/4 $759K, 567 N Yachtsman Dr 3/3 $1.05M, 1341 Eagle Run Dr 3/2.5 $1.058M, 1890 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.135M, 446 Surf Sound Ct 3/2 $1.178M, 542 N Yachtsman Dr 3/2 $1.225M, 1133 Buttonwood Ln 3/2.5 $1.31M, 1275 Par View Dr 3/2 $1.38M, 1266 Isabel Dr 3/3 $2.775M, 4955 Joewood Dr 6/4.5 $3.05M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

6 new sales: 2310 Wulfert Rd listed at $299K, 5642 Baltusrol Ct listed at $327.5K, 5648 Baltusrol Ct listed at $328.5K, 255 Hurricane Ln listed at $368K, 6505 Pine Ave listed at $759K, 6519 Pine Ave listed at $779K.

2 closed sales: 1292 Par View Dr $345K, 3941 West Gulf Dr $3.5M.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Lands End Village #1629 2/2 listed at $1.3745M, Lands End Village #1635 2/2 $1.429M.

3 closed sales: Bayside Villas #4124 1/2 $410K, Captiva Shores #1B 3/2.5 $1.67M, Beach Homes #18 4/3 $3.05M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16280 Captiva Dr 6/6 $8.9M.

2 price changes: 15138 Wiles Dr 6/5.5 now $6.495M, 11559 Laika Ln 3/3 now $6.9M.

1 new sale: 15133 Captiva Dr 3/3 listed at $2.995M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 16685 Captiva Dr $2M.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Happy Mothers’ Day weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Spring 2021 Has Sprung! Island Real Estate Is Hot!

Posted on March 26, 2021 by SanibelSusan

It’s another sunny Sanibel Friday afternoon. Record high temperatures were expected today, with it already creeping into the 90’s yesterday in some of SW FL. Forecasters say that similar beach-like weather is expected for at least another seven days, with no chance of rain (though it’s needed).

Local waterways, beaches, and shared-use paths continue to be busy, while road traffic seemed a tad lighter this week, likely because local schools are back in session. Just two more weeks of “high season” remain, with some snowbirds already planning their annual trek north.

As inventory continues to dwindle, The SanibelSusan Team and I continue to beat the bushes looking for new listings. Teammate Dave and I previewed a terrific near-beach home yesterday that may be on the market soon. A complete interior remodel by one of our recommended contractors is just finishing up. (Here’s a hint, it’s near the body of water shown below and where there is some of the best shelling in the world.)

Our condo listings had showings last Saturday during guest turn-over and I was out showing on Captiva yesterday, while in the office, we continue to prepare for several upcoming closings.

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

Sanibel Real Estate Inventory

Sometimes it is revealing to look at inventory with a price comparison. Below, by dollar increment, are the number of Sanibel properties available for sale (condos, homes, and lots), compared to the number under contract, and the number closed/sold year-to-date, as of today, March 26.

In snapshot terms, there currently are just 124 residential properties for sale on Sanibel (53 condos, 38 homes, 33 lots), while 167 are under contract, and 172 have already sold/closed this year – and that does not include the many closing occurring next week. The last day of the month is always the busiest day for closings, with March 31st often the busiest of the year!

SANIBEL	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
SANIBEL	For Sale	Under Contract	Sold 2021	For Sale	Under Contract	Sold 2021	For Sale	Under Contract	Sold 2021
$100-200K	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	4
$200K-300K	0	0	1	0	0	0	5	2	8
$300K-400K	2	3	4	0	0	0	10	6	5
$400K-500K	4	6	12	0	1	5	2	4	2
$500K-600K	9	11	12	1	7	9	2	1	1
$600K-700K	4	10	4	2	7	9	1	0	1
$700K-800K	5	4	7	0	15	7	3	0	0
$800K-900K	8	6	7	5	5	14	3	1	0
$900K-1M	9	8	6	3	5	5	2	0	0
$1M-1.5M	11	4	10	3	25	10	2	1	1
$1.5M-2M	1	4	3	11	16	9	0	0	1
$2M-3M	0	3	1	4	3	7	1	0	2
$3M-4M	0	0	0	2	3	2	2	2	0
$4M-5M	0	0	0	2	0	1	0	0	0
$5M-6M	0	0	0	1	1	1	0	0	0
$6M-7M	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	0	0
$7M-8M	0	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	0
$8M+	0	0	0	1	0	1	0	0	0
TOTAL	53	59	67	38	89	80	33	19	25

Prospective sellers who may be wondering if they need a Realtor® in a market like this, the answer is “yes”. Most of Realtors® have buyers looking for a particular property in a certain location or with special requirements. Now that “season” is almost over, it becomes even more important to have the broadest exposure to the most prospective purchasers.

That means with the property offered in the islands Multiple Listing Service so that it is exposed to Realtors® everywhere, syndicated through worldwide real estate databases, and with local boots on the ground (in our case flip flops) to ensure that every step of the transaction is accomplished successfully so that owners get top dollar.

Pandemic Update

“Pop-Up Site” – Congratulations to FISH of Sanibel-Captiva (Friends in Service Here) for their action. They sent a letter to Governor Ron DeSantis and elected officials addressing the need for COVID-19 vaccines on Sanibel. It stressed the complications that island seniors face, particularly those with technological challenges in vaccination scheduling and logistical hurdles of vaccination sites often long distances away. Many seniors FISH identified as high priority due to age, medical conditions, or transportation limitations. FISH initiatives resulted in the Department of Health providing 250 doses which we used Tuesday during a “pop up” vaccination site at the Sanibel Community House. That day, islander seniors, scheduled by FISH, went by appointment to receive their one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccinations. As FISH says, “it takes a village”. They were assisted by island partners from the Community House, Rotary Club of Sanibel-Captiva, City of Sanibel Police Department, Sanibel Fire Department, parish nurses, medical offices, pharmacies, City officials, and FISH volunteers.

Those 50 & Over Now Eligible – This week with the state announcing that the vaccine now is available to anyone over 50, two SanibelSusan teammates now have received their first vaccines. In addition to the various pharmacies, big box stores, and medical facilities offering appointments, the vaccination site near the old SW FL regional airport continues to take appointments when doses are available. Contact them on-line at http://www.MyVaccine.FL.gov or by phone at 239-356-2006.

Those 18 & Over Soon Eligible – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is lowering the COVID-19 vaccination age to 40 starting Monday and to EVERYONE 18 AND UP starting April 5.

Sanibel’s State of Emergency – My apologies for not including an update on Sanibel’s state of emergency last week. Below is the Tuesday update from http://www.MySanibel.com:

The City declared State of Emergency, issued in response to COVID-19, has been extended by Mayor Holly D. Smith until March 30, 2021, unless further extended. Per State Statute, the maximum duration for a Mayoral Declaration of Emergency is seven (7) days and thus must be updated weekly as long as the emergency conditions are present.

“Additionally, the City of Sanibel face covering mandate is reaffirmed to be consistent with the Governor’s Order 20-244. The face covering mandate is reaffirmed and shall remain in force and effect throughout the duration of this 7-day state of local emergency.

“To avoid the spread of COVID-19, social distancing is encouraged, and group gatherings should be avoided.”

Florida’s Housing Market: More Sales, Higher Median Prices

In an article posted on-line this week, Florida Realtors®, Marla Martin said:

“Florida Realtors’ data: Single-family home sales rose 15.7% year-over-year, median sales price up 16.6%; condo sales up 28.7%, median price up 16.6%. Chief Economist O’Connor: Fewer new listings and a tight inventory means a strong seller’s market.

“FEBRUARY HOME PRICES SOAR AS INVENTORY SHRINKS – The statewide inventory of active single-family home listings, which Florida Realtors has been tracking since January 2008, is currently at an all-time low. And the scarcity of inventory and high demand for existing homes continues to drive home prices higher.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – Amid increased COVID-19 vaccinations and hopeful signs for the future, Florida’s housing market in February reported more closed sales, higher median prices, more new pending sales and increased pending inventory in February 2021 compared to a year ago, according to Florida Realtors® latest housing data. Single-family existing home sales rose 15.7 % compared to February 2020.

““Florida’s housing market continued its momentum in February, but higher interest rates could be a factor going forward,” says 2021 Florida Realtors President Cheryl Lambert, broker-owner with Only Way Realty Citrus in Inverness. “While rising rates could potentially slow the pace of home sales, rates remain relatively low by historical standards. Record-low inventory is continuing to put pressure on home prices to rise and creates challenges for buyers. However, new pending sales rose 10.9% for single-family existing homes last month compared to February 2020, while new pending sales for condo-townhouse units increased 35.4% year-over-year.”

“Closed sales of single-family homes statewide in February totaled 23,947, up 15.7% year-over-year, while existing condo-townhouse sales totaled 11,379, up 28.7% over February 2020. Closed sales may occur from 30- to 90-plus days after sales contracts are written.

“The statewide median sales price for single-family existing homes was $314,900, up 16.6% from the previous year, according to data from Florida Realtors Research Department in partnership with local Realtor boards/associations. Last month’s statewide median price for condo-townhouse units was $233,240, up 16.6% over the year-ago figure. The median is the midpoint; half the homes sold for more, half for less.

“Florida Realtors Chief Economist Dr. Brad O’Connor notes that Florida’s current housing market is a strong seller’s market, with fewer new listings and a very tight inventory (active listings), particularly for single-family existing homes. He says, “The statewide inventory of active single-family home listings, which Florida Realtors has been tracking since January 2008, is currently at an all-time low. At the end of February, single-family inventory was down 56.3% compared to a year ago. Most of this decline has been a result of our ultra-high rate of sales.

““However, so far in 2021, new listings of single-family homes have not kept up with their pace of 12 months ago. In February, they were down 4.9% year-over-year, which is an improvement over January, but still represents a move in the wrong direction. There’s a likelihood that much of this decline has been due to some sellers, who in normal times might have listed in January or February, instead listing ahead of 2021 in response to the unusually strong market in the second half of 2020. But there’s also the possibility that a small but increasing number of homeowners, who have been thinking of selling their current home and buying another one, are starting to get turned off by the lack of available inventory and the rising prices that have resulted from it.”

The condo-townhouse category shows a slightly different picture, O’Connor says.

““In February, closed sales in this category rose 28.7% year-over-year, which is consistent with the growth rates we’ve been seeing each month going back to September,” he says. “Some of this growth is likely being fueled by frustrated buyers who had their hearts set on a single-family home finally giving up and settling for an attached unit instead, but we’re also seeing high demand from folks with the typical condo- and townhouse-buyer profile, as well. And while inventory in this category is still high relative to what we’re seeing in the single-family home category, it was down 34.4% compared to a year ago.”

“On the supply side of the market, inventory (active listings) remained constrained in February. Single-family existing homes were at a very restricted 1.3-months’ supply while condo-townhouse inventory was at a 3.4-months’ supply.

“According to Freddie Mac, the interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 2.81% in February 2021, significantly lower than the 3.47% averaged during the same month a year earlier….”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 19-26, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Spanish Cay #F8 2/2 $449K, Sundial #C303 2/2 $739K, Heron at The Sanctuary #3A 2/2.5 $839K, Sanddollar #B101 2/2 $1.125M, Cyprina Beach #2 3/3 $1.6M.

1 price change: Sundial #D408 1/1 now $509.9K.

7 new sales: Sundial #F206 1/1 listed at $479K, Blind Pass #E101 2/2 listed at $485K, Sanibel Arms West #B5 2/2 listed at $550K, Sanibel Arms West #H4 2/2 listed at $559K, Kimball Lodge #302 1/1 listed at $574K, Blind Pass #G104 3/2 listed at $699K, Sanddollar #C201 2/2 listed at $1.199M.

7 closed sales: Captains Walk #B3 1/1 $286.5K, Sundial #F108 1/1 $425K, Mariner Pointe #732 2/2 $545K, Surfside 12 #B1 3/2 $950K, Beachcomber #D101 2/2 $985K, Pointe Santo #C25 3/2 $1M, Sundial #T405 2/2 $1.193M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 1644 Bunting Ln 3/3 $643K, 3010 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $1.445M, 2857 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $1.895M.

2 price changes: 848 Birdie View Pt 4/3.5 now $2.049M, 1306 Seaspray Ln 4/4 now $4.295M.

12 new sales: 1942 Roseate Ln 2/2 listed at $524.5K, 3009 Singing Wind Dr 2/1.5 listed at $657K, 9446 Yucca Ct 3/2 listed at $739K, 613 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 listed at $978K, 1983 My Tern Ct 3/2.5 listed at $1.098M, 557 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3 listed at $1.124M, 446 Surf Sound Ct 3/2 listed at $1.178M, 249 Violet Dr 4/2 listed at $1.2M, 6412 Pine Ave 3/2.5 listed at $1.589M, 837 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.895M, 3744 West Gulf Dr 4/4 listed at $1.939M, 5633 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 listed at $1.949M.

5 closed sales: 9254 Kincaid Ct 2/2 $486K, 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex $550K, 757 Windlass Way 3/2.5 $1.2M, 1355 Eagle Run Dr 4/4.5 $1.84M, 3009 Turtle Gait Ln 4/4.5 $2.595M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 2133 Starfish Ln $529K, 1084 S. Yachtsman Dr $699K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: 9042 Mockingbird Ln listed at $395K, 000 West Gulf Dr listed at $3.795M.

3 closed sales: 247/255 Robinwood Cir $265K, 717 Birdie View Pt $370K, 5749 Sanibel-Captiva Rd $607K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

3 new sales: Marina Villas #708 2/2 listed at $765K, Gulf Beach Villas #2024 3/3 listed at $1.075M, Beach Homes #17 4/3 listed at $3.45M.

2 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3118 1/1 $341.5K, Lands End Village #1651 2/2 $1.245M.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 11530 Paige Ct 4/4/2 now $4.6M, 11559 Laika Ln 3/3 now $7.8M.

1 new sale: 11514 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5 listed at $2.349M

1 closed sale: 16813 Captiva Dr 3/3 $2.25M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale:: 16685 Captiva Dr listed at $2.45M.

No closed sales.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday, enjoy spring! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Ready to Set New Records in 2021

Posted on January 8, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Welcome to the 2^nd Friday Sanibel/Captiva real estate update in 2021. With the holidays over and a home inspection this afternoon, we are wrapping up another productive week at SanibelSusan Realty – two more sales, more listings shown, more action items accomplished for both listings and upcoming closings, and a closing late today. The last time we had seven sales on the books in just the first week of the year was back in 2004 which was our record year, so we are crossing our fingers to break that record in 2021.

Traffic lessened last weekend when many holiday visitors departed. Unfortunately, coronavirus numbers are up and expected to go higher. Below are a couple of news items, including COVID update, followed by the action since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Sanibel & Captiva Island Association of Realtors®

Though still not meeting in person, our local Association of Realtors® held a Zoom meeting Wednesday with required attendance by our Board of Directors and members serving as 2021 Ombudsmen or on Grievance and Professional Standards Committees. That annual training updates the leadership team on recent changes regarding ethics and arbitration issues. Thanks to Marcia Tabak, Deputy General Counsel at Florida Realtors®, for hosting.

Thursday morning was a Zoom Caravan meeting for our entire membership. No new listings were open for caravan viewing, but both Jim Hall (VIP Realty Group) and I announced new sales. No price reductions were announced. My announcement of our new listing at Sandalfoot #3B3, was the only new listing mentioned.

The next Caravan meeting will follow our Annual Installation of Officers and Awards Ceremony at 8 a.m. Jan 17, also on Zoom.

With most of the year-end closings now posted on the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service, below is an update of the statistics. Shown are the recent sales action, compared to 2019, and inventory today. To say, more listings are needed is an understatement. Many Realtors® have buyers awaiting the perfect property that meets their requirements.

SANIBEL	Condos		Homes		Lots
SANIBEL	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price
Available	86	820,012	63	2,036,258	45	816,216
Under Contract	27	709,322	53	1,346,665	17	783,177
Sold 2021 to-date	2	995,000	3	1,324,666	1	265,000
Sold 2020	192	733,876	288	951,487	23	606,233
Sold 2019	127	694,392	211	949,790	15	372,200

CAPTIVA	Condos		Homes		Lots
CAPTIVA	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price	#	Avg Price
Available	20	1,622,849	32	3,713,937	3	5,131,666
Under Contract	8	787,375	8	787,375	0	N/A
Sold 2021 to-date	1	2,700,000	2	2,762,500	O	N/A
Sold 2020	47	821,713	27	2,923,148	4	2,537,500
Sold 2019	29	1,037,077	17	2,737,503	1	1,375,000

Sanibel – COVID-19

On Tuesday, Sanibel Mayor Mick Denham extended the island declared state of emergency due to COVID-19 until January 12, unless further extended. (Per State Statute, the maximum duration for a Mayoral Declaration of Emergency is seven days and thus must be updated weekly as the emergency exists.) The City face covering mandate remains in effect through the period.

From Florida Department of Health, Sanibel’s total accumulative number of COVID-19 cases since March 26 through 9 a.m. January 7 is 157 cases. Twenty-one were reported just last week. This is just the number cases for zip code residents. It does not include Captiva and the many workers and visitors that come and go. PLEASE stay vigilant – continue social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and avoid group gatherings.

Vaccination Rollout Update from Florida Department of Health & Lee County Government

FYI, as posted yesterday on http://www.MySanibel.com:

“Fort Myers, FL, Jan. 7, 2021 – Tidal Basin, the state’s call-center vendor for COVID-19 vaccinations for seniors and front-line medical workers, earlier this week captured more than 10,000 phone calls in 11 minutes when its new reservation line opened. The Florida Department of Health-Lee (FDOH) and Lee County today have announced that next Tuesday and Wednesday’s allocation of vaccinations at the current site will be used for those additional callers, most of whom now have been pre-registered by the vendor.

“The phone line for reservations is currently closed and remains closed; residents are asked to not dial the call center. The state and county will announce when additional vaccine doses are available and the line reopens. Visit www.leegov.com/vaccine

“Tidal Basin will begin placing calls to schedule the pre-registered slots beginning this afternoon through Monday. Not every pre-registered individual will receive a scheduling call today. Shots will be administered between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, Jan. 12 and 13.

“DOH-Lee anticipates administering about 4,000 doses during those two days at the current site, which is east of Interstate 75 off Daniels Parkway. It’s the site of the old airport terminal parking lot off Paul J. Doherty Parkway. The site has proved a successful solution to vaccinating thousands of people 65 and older without an unnecessary wait. Traffic to and from the site is flowing; parking is ample; people with appointments are not experiencing delays. Public transportation is available to the site.

“By close of business today, more than 11,000 individuals will have been vaccinated at Lee County sites. This total does not include medical workers vaccinated at separate sites by the Florida Department of Health-Lee or vaccinations issued by other entities such as Lee Health.

“FDOH-Lee and the county soon will announce information about the second dose of the vaccine and how scheduling will be handled.

“The state and county have requested that Tidal Basin stand up a help line or call center for pre-registered people who have questions. Details will be announced when they become available at www.leegov.com/vaccine .

“As COVID-19 vaccine distribution continues, the Lee County Sheriff’s Office advises to be aware of emerging fraud schemes, such as:

Calls asking to pay out of pocket to get the vaccine.
Calls asking to pay to put your name on a vaccine waiting list or to get early access.
Advertisements for vaccines through social media platforms, email, telephone calls, online or from unsolicited/unknown sources.
Marketers offering to sell or ship doses of the vaccine for payment.
Requests from someone unknown to an individual asking for a social security number, bank account information or credit card information.

“Lee County residents who believe they have been the victim of COVID-19 fraud can report it to:

Lee County Sheriff’s Office fraud line – 258-3292
HHS-OIG Hotline: 1-800-HHS-TIPS or log on to hhs.gov
FBI Hotline: 1-800-CALL-FBI
CMS/Medicare Hotline: 1-800-MEDICARE

“Additional information: Complete information can be found at www.leegov.com/vaccine . People can visit Lee County Government Facebook and other social media channels (www.leegov.com/socialmedia ) or monitor Florida DOH’s Twitter @flhealthlee. The United Way 211 line for vaccine questions is staffed 24/7. Dial 211 or 239-433-3900. This is not a reservation or appointment phone line.”

2021 Resolution: Cut Risk – 15 Steps to Resolve Legal Issues

Posted on FloridaRealtors® this week, the below article is sourced to Gary M. Singer, “Sun Sentinel” (Fort Lauderdale, FL). Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. It has some excellent points.

“Many legal troubles start with phrases like “I didn’t realize that …” or “I didn’t read that part of the document.” To lower risk and avoid trouble, ask questions, read contracts, do research, take notes, record with cellphone photos and take an extra day to think about things.

“FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – As another year starts, it’s once again time to discuss some lessons we’ve learned in dealing with real estate law issues. Therefore, I present to you, in no particular order, some best practices you can use when dealing with any legal matter.

Do not sign anything you have not read and understood.
Do not be afraid to ask questions, and do not feel you must accept the answers at face value.
If you have any doubt as to what you are told, do more research.
There are very few things that cannot wait one day while you think about it.
Whenever a situation seems like it might become a problem, take lots of notes and cell phone photos.
If you come to a meaningful agreement on a telephone call, send an email to the person you spoke with to confirm the details.
While confrontation can be uncomfortable, the best and least expensive way of resolving a dispute is speaking calmly to the responsible party about the issue.
If the branches from your neighbor’s tree hang over your property line, you can safely trim them back, at your expense, as long as you do not damage the tree’s health.
Consult with an estate planning professional to get your will done.
If you are buying a property with someone you are not married to, it is good to get a joint property ownership agreement prepared.
If you rent a home, you should read the landlord-tenant statute; it is relatively easy to read and acts as an instruction manual.
When buying a property in a condominium or homeowners association, you need to understand the rules and live by them. If this idea does not work for you, find a different property.
Don’t underestimate the importance of insurance and the importance of shopping around for the best price.
Some have said that good fences make good neighbors, but I find it is more accurate to say that good people make good neighbors.
As hard as it can be to sift through the junk, it is essential to check your mail for important notices regularly.

“It has been a rough year. I hope these tips will help your new year be a better one.”

Wildlife Refuge Status Update

From today’s “Ding” on the Wing”: The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge has announced changes to scheduling due to the lingering effects of the pandemic. Until further notice, the Visitor & Education Center will be closed every Sunday.

Monday through Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., the front desk and Refuge Nature Store will be open in the Center. All exhibits remain closed. The Center’s restrooms will stay open daily 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Wildlife Drive will continue with its seasonal schedule of Saturday to Thursday 7 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

recreation concession tours and rentals will operate according to their regular schedule. Stay up-to-date on Refuge news and events at our COVID-19 page.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 1-8, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #242 1/1 $424.5K, Blind Pass #E207 2/2.5 $489K, Sanibel Arms West #F1 2/2 $949K, White Pelican #111 2/2 $1.2999M.

3 price changes: Blind Pass #E101 2/2 now $485K, Loggerhead Cay #274 2/2 now $669K, Sandpiper Beach #401 2/2 now $775K.

7 new sales: Sundial #I102 1/1 listed at $450K, Sanibel Arms West #H6 2/2 listed at $579K, Sanibel Moorings #441 2/2 listed at $585K, Loggerhead Cay #542 2/2 listed at $685K, Surfside 12 #A4 3/2 listed at $849K, Yacht Haven #4 3/2 listed at $895K, Sundial #L205 3/2 listed at $1.395M.

6 closed sales: Tennisplace #B24 2/2 $350K, Spanish Cay #F4 2/2 $390K, Blind Pass #G201 2/2 $520K, Sanibel Arms West #K7 2/2 $550K, Sanibel Moorings #932 2/2 $562K, Somerset #A101 3/2.5 $1.6M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 2620 West Gulf Dr 3/2 $799K, 1890 Middle Gulf Dr 3/3 $1.2M, 1283 Isabel Dr 3/2 $1.925M.

4 price changes: 9254 Kincaid Ct 2/2 now $493K, 1560 Royal Poinciana Cir 3/2 now $899K, 837 Sand Dollar Dr 3/3.5 now $1.995M, 1761 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $2.095M.

11 new sales: 1684 Bunting Ln 2/2 listed at $514,555; 315 East Gulf Dr 3/2 half-duplex listed at $559K; 430 Old Trail Rd 3/2.5 listed at $629K; 610 Hideaway Ct 3/2 listed at $699K (our buyer); 566 Boulder Dr 3/2 listed at $739K; 1076 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 listed at $750K; 2010 Wild Lime Dr 4/4 listed at $759K; 2001/2003 Mitzi Ln 6/6 duplex listed at $859K; 1672 Hibiscus Dr 3/2 listed at $899K; 215 Hurricane Ln 3/3 listed at $1.089M; 815 Birdie View Pt 3/3 listed at $1.395M.

5 closed sales: 1667 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/1.5 $413K, 718 Durion Ct 3/2 $550K, 705 Rabbit Rd 3/3 $699K, 215 Hurricane Ln 3/3 $1.029M, 1718 Jewel Box Dr 4/4.5 $2.725M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 717 Birdie View Pt $399K.

1 price change: 1292 Par View Dr now $349.9K.

7 new sales: 1894 Farm Trl listed at $199K (our listing & buyer), 9436 Beverly Ln listed at $235K, 3354 Barra Cir listed at $365K, 602 Boulder Dr listed at $399K, 836 Limpet Dr listed at $1.345M, 1159 Golden Olive Ct listed at $1.599M, 1246 Seagrape Ln listed at $2.789M.

1 closed sale: 5627 Baltusrol Ct $265K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1628 4/4 $2.7M.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11431 Dickey Ln 3/2 listed at $1,168,500.

3 closed sales: 11523 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5.5 $1.975M, 11555 Wightman Ln 3/2 $3.55M, 15831 Captiva Dr 2/2.5 $5M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Until next Friday, stay safe,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Happy New Year & Happy 1st Friday 2021

Posted on January 1, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Happy New Year 2021, with best wishes to all from The SanibelSusan Team.

It is just me (Susan) in the office this afternoon – albeit briefly after showing a few homes earlier. Gorgeous day to do that as was just mid-70’s when we started out at 10 a.m., then warming up to 78 degrees F about 2 p.m. Bright blue sky, lots of sunshine, and breezy – best kind of island day.

SanibelSusan Realty has had a good week. A listing sale closed Tues, Dave had a closing Thurs, we got a new listing, several action items were completed for other listings awaiting closings, and I have been writing offers this afternoon – which is why this is emailed a little later than usual – all good indicators that “season” is here.

As another indicator, what a difference a week makes! There was a huge traffic increase this week (compared to last week (Christmas)). The City announced Tuesday that 7,000 cars had crossed the causeway that morning. Wednesday, by midday, that day count already was up at 6,000. Those additional day-trippers make the roadways slow-going when heading off-island from about 3 p.m. until dark. If you need to travel then, remember to check the City traffic cams on www.MySanibel.com.

With several daytime runs by both teammate Elise and I between the office and the East end, and on-/off-island, we also could not help but notice the number of bikers. I do not remember the bike paths ever being this busy. The pickleball courts were packed most of the time too. Likely the wonderful weather brought visitors escaping the snowy north and doldrums of the pandemic. We just pray none of them brought more viruses.

Below are a couple of news items, including COVID update, followed by the action since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Sanibel – COVID-19

On Tuesday, Sanibel Mayor Mick Denham extended the island declared state of emergency due to COVID-19 until January 5, unless further extended. (Per State Statute, the maximum duration for a Mayoral Declaration of Emergency is seven days and thus must be updated weekly as the emergency exists.) The City face covering mandate remains in effect through the period.

From Florida Department of Health, Sanibel’s total accumulative number of COVID-19 cases since March 26 through 9 a.m. December 31 is 138 cases. Fifty-four of those cases are just since December 1. This is just the number cases for zip code residents. It does not include Captiva and the many workers and visitors that come and go. PLEASE stay vigilant – continue social distancing, hand washing, mask wearing, and avoid group gatherings.

How the Coronavirus Is Changing Buying & Selling Real Estate

The need to practice social distancing and restrict in-person contacts has accelerated both innovation and technology. Realtors® servicing Sanibel and Captiva, where both sellers and buyers often are in far-away places, have always provided different services than in a traditional geographical area where both parties are nearby. From the pandemic, there likely will be some long-lasting effects, like those below.

Competitive Buying – Purchasers that are out of town are more motivated to make sight-unseen offers. For those successful offerors, using the “as is” contract, the buyer may use the 15-day inspection/cancellation period to come and see the property, and/or have inspections performed. In the last few weeks, we have had two listings sell sight-unseen. Both received multiple offers with the sight-unseen buyers winning out, because they were willing to pay full price.

Streaming Videos & FaceTime Showings – Professional photography including drone aerials with streaming videos continue to get prospects interested in a property. After they become interested, virtual walk-throughs and Facetime showings by us or their Realtor® have become popular. We have had almost as many showings that way in the last few months as showings with the buyers there in-person.

Meetings – Though most now are more familiar with cleaning procedures and protocols for traditional showings in today’s more hygienic environment, more meetings are held virtually. These include listing presentations, discussions on making offers, even actual closings. Though SanibelSusan Realty has not again begun holding open houses, we are available to open our listings for showings or deliver keys and fliers to Realtors® not going to their offices. Whatever it takes to get them sold, while staying safe!

400 Rabbits Is Open

There have been many positive reports on social media this week about the soft opening and then the full opening yesterday of the all-new restaurant “400 Rabbits” which is in the shopping center on the San-Cap Rd end of Rabbit Rd. Mexican-inspired and with a tequila bar, this venture combines the culinary talents of Jeramie and Debra Campana, owners of Paper Fig Kitchen (in Tahitian Gardens) and James Beard Society award-winning chef Don Yamauchi and his wife Cleta.

What Real Estate Has to Be Grateful For in 2020

This was posted on FloridaRealtors® just before Christmas, by Melissa Dittmann Tracey:

“It’s hard to look at 2020 in a positive light, but the real estate industry was uniquely and unexpectedly a beacon of hope for a nation battered by the COVID-19 virus. Home sales boomed, mortgage rates repeatedly hit record lows and rising values bolstered homeowners’ equity.

“CHICAGO – No doubt, 2020 has been a uniquely challenging year. With unemployment still above pre-pandemic levels, the country coming to terms with longstanding racial inequities, Americans worrying about natural disasters, a contentious national election and the COVID-19 pandemic still raging, people are searching for reasons to feel gratitude as the year draws to a close.

“The housing market has emerged as an economic bright spot. While the nation continues to feel widespread effects from 2020’s turmoil, here are a few things the real estate industry can be grateful for this year.

“Booming home sales

“Overall, real estate professionals have been busy – home buying activity is at its highest level since 2006. The housing market defied high unemployment and an economic recession, and it surged during the COVID-19 pandemic. Existing-home sales in October were 27% higher than a year ago, new-home sales were 32% higher, and pending home sales or contract signings in September jumped 20.5% annually.

““This winter may be one of the best winters for sales activity,” says Lawrence Yun, the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) chief economist. “It won’t match summer or spring sales numbers, but on a winter-to-winter comparison, this could be one of the best breakout years just based on the fact that pending contracts are at such a higher level.”

“Mortgage applications, up 20% year over year, reflect buyers in the pipeline, ready to buy. The downside: Buyers are in a frenzy to compete for the limited housing stock, and 72% of homes that sold in October were on the market for less than a month, NAR’s data shows.

“Record low mortgage rates

“Homebuyers are locking in some of the lowest mortgage rates in recorded history. Last week, for the 15th time this year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage set a record low, averaging 2.67%, according to Freddie Mac. Yun predicts that mortgage rates will stay low into 2021, averaging 3.1% for all of next year.

““These ultra-low mortgage rates significantly lower mortgage payments, making housing more affordable than a year earlier in many areas,” even with prices rising, writes Nadia Evangelou, a research economist, on NAR’s Economists’ Outlook blog. In the Washington, D.C., metro area, for example, home prices have jumped nearly 12% compared to a year earlier, Evangelou notes. However, the monthly payment on a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is lower than a year ago, averaging $1,820.

“Seller equity

“Home sellers got a financial boost from housing appreciation. The median existing-home price for all housing types was $313,000 in October – a 16% increase from a year ago. Sixty-five percent of 181 metro areas NAR recently tracked have reported double-digit price gains compared to a year ago.

“That means home owners who haven’t taken a financial hit from the pandemic feel richer. In the third quarter, 16.7 million residential properties in the U.S. – 28.3% overall – were considered “equity rich,” according to a report from ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate research data firm. A property is considered equity rich when the property owner has at least 50% equity in the home.

““Homeowner equity in the third quarter added another pebble to the pile of markers showing that the U.S. housing market continues to defy the broad downturn in the economy this year,” says Todd Teta, chief product and technology officer for ATTOM Data Solutions. “Home prices keep rising, boosting the balance sheets of homeowners throughout most of the country. … The market is strong and homeowners remain in a position to benefit.”

“Technology

“With people forced to keep their distance during the pandemic, technology became real estate pros’ ally in keeping transactions moving. Nick Bailey, chief customer officer at RE/MAX LLC, says that the average real estate transaction takes 181 steps from beginning to end, and technology has increasingly responded to those steps.

“During state shutdowns earlier this year, real estate professionals increasingly relied on virtual and 3D tours, videoconferencing, augmented reality, automation, artificial intelligence and remote online notarizations, says Jeb Griffin, NAR’s director of strategy and innovation.

““Technology is playing a more active role through the buying and selling cycle, and agents are playing an even bigger role to consumers who [have] less access to homes in person [due to the pandemic],” Griffin says.

The future now requires “taking the traditional way of doing business and augmenting it with new ways that will allow you to serve customers in a variety of ways – and on their terms,” adds Andy Ambrose, DocuSign practice lead director at DocuSign Notary.

“New priorities

““The coronavirus without a doubt led homebuyers to reassess their housing situations and even reconsider home sizes and destinations,” says Jessica Lautz, vice president of demographics and behavioral insights for NAR. “Buyers sought housing with more rooms, more square footage, and more yard space, as they may have desired a home office or home gym. They also shopped for larger homes because extra space would allow households to better accommodate older adult relatives or young adults that are now living within the residence.”

“Affirmation of a Realtor’s value

“As Americans reevaluated what they wanted from a home, they increasingly relied on real estate agents to guide them through purchase and sales transactions. According to NAR’s latest survey, 88% of buyers reported using an agent to purchase their home, and 89% of sellers used an agent to help with their sale.

““We are all in unknown territory with this pandemic, so it’s no surprise that more buyers than ever turned to agents to help them navigate through some of the uncertainties and one of the most complex, competitive markets any of us have ever seen,” says NAR’s immediate past president Vince Malta.

“The sanctity of home

““Nothing feels more precious this year than the safety of our homes,” says Shannon McGahn, NAR’s chief advocacy officer, “and we believe all Americans should have equal opportunity to a home of their own.”” Source: National Association of Realtors®

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 25 – January 1, 2020

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Sandalfoot #3B3 1/1 $549K (our listing).

View from Sandalfoot #3B3

1 price change: Sandals #A 3/3.5 now $1.835M.

6 new sales: Sundial #G406 1/1 listed at $519K, Mariner Pointe #421 2/2.5 listed at $579K, Pointe Santo #B3 2/2 listed at $699K, Sandy Bend #6 2/2 listed at $1,027,007; Sanibel Surfside #124 2/2 listed at $1.05M, Junonia #103 3/2 listed at $1.295M.

12 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #B1 1/1 $413K, Signal Inn #10 1/1 $485K, Loggerhead Cay #462 2/2 $550K, Compass Point #221 2/2 $615K, Lighthouse Point #111 2/2 $645K, Island Beach Club #220F 2/2 $710K, Sundial #T201 2/2 $750K, Gulf Beach #106 2/2 $775K (our buyer), Sundial #P203 2/2 $845K, Point Santo #D47 2/2 $920K, Sayana #103 2/2 $948.5K, Tarpon Beach #207 2/2 $899K (our listing).

HOMES

3 new listings: 784 Birdie View Pt 4/4 $1.795M, 5270 Indian Ct 6/6.5 $2.695M, 488 Lighthouse Way 4/4 $3.695M.

3 price changes: 1835 Ardsley Way 2/2 now $457K, 685 Sea Oats Dr 3/2/2 now $1.089M, 490 Sawgrass Pl 3/2.5 now $1.499M.

4 new sales: 799 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex listed at $570K, 1752 Jewel Box Dr 2/2 listed at $859K, 966 Kings Crown Dr 3/2 listed at $980K, 9441 Peaceful Dr 3/3.5 listed at $1.395M.

7 closed sales: 1764 Bunting Ln 2/2 $515K, 731 Durion Ct 3/2 $737K, 836 Angel Wing Dr 3/2 $885K, 6176 Henderson Rd 3/2 $910K, 1308 Tahiti Dr 3/3 $907.5K, 1203 Kittiwake Cir 3/3 $985K, 769 Pyrula Ave 3/3.5 $1.335M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Sunset Beach Villas #2314 2/2 listed at $779K, Marina Villas #808 2/2 listed at $779K.

2 closed sales: Bayside Villas #4106 1/2 $378K, Beach Villas $2334 3/3 $960K.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 15000 Binder Dr 3/2 now $1.298M.

No new sales.

2 closed sales: 15200 Captiva Dr 2/2 $954K, 11515 Gore Ln 5/4.5 $2.25M.

LOTS

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

Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.

Again, enjoy your 2021, while staying safe and well! Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Florida Realtors® Mid-Winter Business Meetings

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 7‑14, 2021

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New Year Weekend Happenings

New Lending Rules Threaten Some Condo Sales

Updated Captiva Land Development Code & Regulations

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 24-31, 2021

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Shell Museum Announces New Classes

Living Shoreline Structure Completed on Woodring Rd

Florida. Grand Jury Recommends More Condo Inspections

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 17-24, 2021

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National Association of Realtors® Economist Reaction to CPI

At SanibelSusan Realty

More Island Holiday Fun

Sanibel Public Library Again Ranks High

Fun Facts About Florida

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 3-10, 2021

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Upcoming Events

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Real Estate Update

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SanibelSusan Realty

Temporary Closings

COVID-19 Update

Nearly 1000 People Moving to Florida Every Day

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At SanibelSusan Realty

Florida Realtors® Fight for Environment

Sanibel’s COVID-19 State of Emergency Ends

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity April 30-May 7, 2021

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Sanibel Real Estate Inventory

Pandemic Update

Florida’s Housing Market: More Sales, Higher Median Prices

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity March 19-26, 2021

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Sanibel & Captiva Island Association of Realtors®

Sanibel – COVID-19

Vaccination Rollout Update from Florida Department of Health & Lee County Government

2021 Resolution: Cut Risk – 15 Steps to Resolve Legal Issues

Wildlife Refuge Status Update

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity January 1-8, 2021

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Sanibel – COVID-19

How the Coronavirus Is Changing Buying & Selling Real Estate

400 Rabbits Is Open

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity December 25 – January 1, 2020

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