Late Summertime Happenings on Sanibel & Captiva

Posted on August 20, 2021 by SanibelSusan

It is finally that time of the year when things slow down on the islands, though it was a long-time coming this year. Even during the “off” season, the islands have been busier than usual this summer. But now that schools are back in session and COVID cases are at record-highs, it makes sense that traffic and occupancy have eased up.

I took a quick spin through the islands early this afternoon, drove all the way through Captiva’s South Seas Plantation, out to tip at Lands End. I was surprised to see very few people or vehicles, though passed quite a few contractor vehicles doing deliveries and updates at properties. Below are some Captiva photos taken during that ride.

Boat launch at South Seas Harbor looking toward the Lady Chadwick.

Looking toward Harborside Bar & Grill.

At Lands End looking across Redfish Pass to North Captiva Island

From the road into Lands End looking back toward South Seas amenity area (rain in the distance on the mainland)

Island Real Estate Happenings

Real estate inventory on both islands remains at record lows. It will be interesting when fall arrives to see what happens to the market as snowbirds and prospective buyers start thinking about spending their winter in the sun. Few rental companies have vacancies then and most Realtors® have anxious visitors looking to come. Thanks to supply and demand, prices in the foreseeable future, for both buying and renting real estate here, will continue to go up.

Meanwhile, at SanibelSusan Realty, we are finishing up action items on closings scheduled to occur in a few weeks, continuing to market our new listing that is not under contract yet, and beating the bushes looking for owners wanting to take advantage of this unique sellers’ opportunity.

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

Today (August 20, 2021) on Sanibel, there are 13 condos, 27 homes, and 17 lots for sale.

On Captiva, there are three condos and 12 homes.

Causeway Island Update

Plenty of social media postings about the changes on the causeway islands have not been positive, mostly because the public is not aware of what is happening there. Here is an update:

The Lee County Board of Commissioners voted Tuesday to award engineering contracts for engineering services for enhancements to both Islands A and B and construction services for the stabilization of Island B. (Island A is the one closest to the high bridge and the mainland. Island B is closest to Sanibel.)

These contracts are part of a larger project on the causeway islands. Plans approved by the Board in December call for the shoring-up of erosion-prone areas of Islands A and B which are part of the Sanibel Causeway. Beach sand also will be added along parts of these islands. In addition, enhancements will be made to upland portions of both islands, including the creation of structured parking, new restrooms on Island A, additional picnic pavilions, pathways, and landscaping, and other park amenities.

In July, in preparation for the project, Lee County Crews removed Australian pines, an invasive exotic species. They will be replaced with native trees.

Local COVID News

Unfortunately, Lee Health Hospitals posted yesterday that it was their highest day of COVID fatalities. Traveling nurses arrived this week to assist in their patient overload.

Sanibel remains proactive regarding COVID. It makes me feel better just to drive by the signage by the Chamber that continues to flash “Welcome to Sanibel”, “Please Wear Mask”, Please Get Vaxxed”.

This morning the City Manager posted the following message on the City website: “City of Sanibel Recreation Center to Remain Closed Saturday, August 21, 2021 All Programs Cancelled. Last evening, Thursday, August 19, the City of Sanibel was advised that a participant who utilized the Sanibel Recreation Center yesterday had tested positive for COVID. Today, Friday, August 20, the City of Sanibel Recreation Center, 3380 Sanibel-Captiva Rd, is closed for all programs and services while the facility is disinfected. Currently City staff continue to contact trace all persons who were at the facility yesterday. The City of Sanibel Recreation Center will remain closed tomorrow, Saturday, August 21. The sole program scheduled for the Recreation Tomorrow, Tiny Tots Basketball, is also cancelled.”

Temporary Closure of Ding Darling Visitor & Education Center

From this week’s, “Ding on The Wing”: “Starting this week and running through September, the Refuge Visitor and Education Center will be closed both Friday and Sunday each week, due to volunteer dropout over COVID-19 concerns. The Center is open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and Saturday.

37^th Sanibel & Captiva Luminaries Scheduled

As posted in the “Island Sun”, the island Chamber of Commerce has received approval from The City to celebrate Luminary 2021 in traditional fashion on December 3 and 4. The Sanibel celebration will be Friday and the Captiva Saturday. Besides candle-lined walkways and shared-use paths, the festivities bring live music, decorations, sidewalk sales, and complimentary refreshments.

The golf-cart parade also will return to Captiva’s celebration (time to be announced). If you haven’t attended an island luminary, plan to do it this year. It is special.

I couldn’t help but think about Captiva’s luminary as I drove along the Tween Waters stretch this afternoon. Those who have been here for the holidays likely remember that a Santa will be climbing that tall palm tree for Christmas. My photo from today is shown above, while below it, a photo of Santa from years.

Sanibel Household Chemical Waste Collection Event

A City notice received this week says, Sanibel residents may dispose of household chemical waste such as left-over paint, cleaners, herbicides, pesticides, auto fluids, and pool chemicals on Wed, Sept 1. The collection event hosted in partnership with Lee County Solid Waste will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Sanibel Library at 770 Dunlop Rd with drop-off an easy drive-through at no charge. This event is for residents only, businesses that need disposal should call for an appointment for the monthly business collection held at the county’s permanent Household Chemical Waste drop-off location at 6441 Topaz Ct which is off Metro Parkway in Fort Myers.

The following items are NOT chemical waste but may be set out with your regular household garbage: small-engine equipment such as pressure washers, lawnmowers, weed eaters; small electronic parts such as routers, mice, keypads; tires; small appliances; empty paint cans/dried paint; empty auto fluid containers.

Hot Housing Market Drives Home Fix-Ups

Posted August 13, 2021, on FloridaRealtors®:

“Remodeling hit a high during lockdowns when homeowners had time and an increased frustration with their living space. Now, rising home equity entices them.

“NEW YORK – More homeowners plan to renovate their homes this year. The remodel trend took off during pandemic lockdowns when homeowners had little else to do and a general frustration with a home when they had to spend 24 hours a day within it.

“Now, owners are spiffing up their home because they can afford to do so, thanks to higher home prices and their home’s increased equity, according to Bank of America’s “2021 Homebuyer Insights Report: Home Improvement and Equity Spotlight.”

“As home prices surge, more homeowners are tapping HELOCs (Home Equity Lines of Credit) to make significant home improvements. Gen X homeowners (ages 44 to 56) are the most likely to report using HELOCs for home improvements. “Greater reliance on the home as both a workspace and a family center has led many owners to tailor their homes to their needs,” the report says.

“Most respondents don’t focus too heavily on increasing their home’s value, however. The majority said they’re viewing home improvements as a way to bring greater enjoyment to their living space (67%). Only 33% said they’re undertaking updates to increase their home’s value (33%). “Traditionally, home improvement projects have been measured through the lens of return on investment (ROI), but we’re seeing that the emotional connection to one’s home is just as important,” says Ann Thompson, specialty lending executive at Bank of America.

“Remodeling trends

“Greater modernization: Many homeowners want to bring their homes up to date, or they need to replace dated areas of the homes. The median age of the U.S. owner-occupied housing stock is 39 years, according to the National Association of Home Builders.

“Fixer-uppers are OK again: About 42% of younger homebuyers say they would prefer to buy a fixer-upper and improve it over time than to purchase a home that’s move-in ready.

“DIY is trending: Many homeowners are taking a do-it-yourself approach to some of their smaller house projects, such as painting or upgrading hardware and fixtures, with 50% saying they learned how from watching videos. Nearly 40% say they’re inspired by TV shows such as HGTV to do more DIY projects in their home. Younger adults are the most likely to do DIY, with almost 75% of younger homeowners (ages 18 to 43) say they’ve completed DIY work around their house.

“Sustainability is important: Younger generations tend to value sustainability features more than older generations. Half of younger generations want to add solar panels (51%) and energy-efficient appliances (48%) – only one-third of older generations want to add solar panels (33%) and energy-efficient appliances (36%).”

To Market or Not, Should Not Be the Question

With Florida real estate in increased demand from domestic buyers, sale prices high, and inventory limited, some agents have had success with “pocket listings”, a process that allows an agent to quietly market a property on a one-to-one basis to individual buyers and colleagues, before (or without) posting it on the Multiple Listing Service.

Some sellers and agents think pocket listings offer advantages in certain situations, like giving a seller time to prepare for marketing and the agent to perform some limited targeted outreach before notifying the masses. I have found that this can influence price, time on market, and the best deal for a seller/buyer.

Some sellers with concerns about privacy and COVID, have preferred this process even if it results in a less profitable sale. Many agents, like me, however, view pocket listings as a disservice to sellers.

For example, prospective pocket-listing buyers know they are the only ones submitting an offer, making them not as motivated to make one that is competitive. By limiting the pool of prospective buyers, sellers can be losing money.

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) recently took a clearer stance on the gray area of pocket listings. Realtors® now are required to list a property in the applicable MLS within 24 hours of launching any mass marketing. This puts the selling agent in a difficult position with only limited marketing allowed. The minute that marketing is expanded, by social media post or group email, that agent is “on the clock” and has only 24 hours to get it posted in the MLS.

What seller doesn’t want his property exposed to the most potential purchasers? Not to mention making the entire transaction transparent with everyone held accountable. According to Redfin, pocket listings increased from 2.4% to 4% of the market from November 2019 to March 2021. Maybe that jump is strictly COVID related, but I doubt it.

Pocket listings should be limited to exceptional unique cases. In my experience, the most exposure brings the best offers – which is what most sellers want. That means a traditional listing – not a pocket listing. The SanibelSusan Team does not take pocket listings.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 13-20, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Arms West #F6 2/2 $1.049M, Gulf Beach #207 2/2 $1.1M.

No price changes.

7 new sales: Sundial #H410 1/1 listed at $429K, Cottage Colony West #101 1/1 listed at $575K, Sanibel Inn #3514 2/2 listed at $699K, Sandalfoot #2D3 2/2 listed at $789.5K, Pointe Santo #B33 2/2 listed at $839K, Tantara #102 2/2 listed at $1.139M, Sundial #E104 2/2 listed at $1.299M.

3 closed sales: Coquina Beach #2B 2/2 $585K; Sanibel Arms West #D2 2/2 $915,799; Tarpon Beach #305 2/2 $1M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 4954 Joewood Dr 3/2 $1.599M, 2475 Tropical Way Ct 3/3.5 $2.295M, 885 Limpet Dr 3/3 $2.395M.

1 price change: 535 Birdsong Pl 3/2 now $711,555.

5 new sales: 754 Donax St 4/2 duplex listed at $599K, 5817 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/2 listed at $1.19M, 1360 Jamaica Dr 3/3 listed at $1.349M, 518 N. Yachtsman Dr 3/3 listed at $2.795M, 544 Lighthouse Way 4/5.5 listed at $4.25M.

5 closed sales: 486 Surf Sound Ct 3/3.5 $1.19M, 734 Anchor Dr 3/2 $1.55M, 6418 Pine Ave 3/3 $1.7M, 5270 Indian Ct 6/6.5 $2.05M, 545 Lighthouse Way 3/3.5 $3.25M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

2 closed sales: 0 Dixie Beach Blvd $150K, 000 West Gulf Dr $3.5M.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Lands End Village #1633 2/2 listed at $1.599M, Seabreeze #1251 3/3 listed at $2.05M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 15867 Captiva Dr 7/6 now $11.7M.

No new or 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.

It’s even quiet at the beach. This is in front of Kings Crown on Sanibel.

Until next Friday,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Hooray, The Sun is Out Again Today!

Posted on August 6, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Lee County Schools begin their fall session Tuesday (August 10), while the last day of the school year will be later than usual next spring, on Thursday, June 2. This week local families fitting in last-minute beach visits probably haven’t been happy about all the rain. It came down in torrents on Monday (over a foot measured in some parts of SW Florida) and again Tuesday. Both Wednesday and Thursday had off-&-on rain too. To say island vegetation is green and growing fast is an understatement. It definitely has been tropical.

Today, the weather is bright and sunny, though expected to revert later to the typical summer schedule of an afternoon/evening shower.

Island Real Estate

There has not been a lot of new real estate action this week, probably weather and summer-time related, but likely because inventory continues to be low. At the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® biweekly caravan meeting yesterday just two new listings were on tour. After a few news items below is the action posted in the local Multiple Listing Service since last Friday.

In summary, today on Sanibel there are 13 condos for sale, five on Captiva. With homes, 31 are available on Sanibel, 13 on Captiva. Just 17 residential lots for sale on Sanibel, none on Captiva.

The Sanibel School

The Sanibel School is accepting new students and does not require that they live on-island. With an “A” rating and designated a School of Excellence by the Florida Department of Education, the K-8 campus provides an exceptional learning environment for its students, and the array of programs available is comparable with even the largest schools in the district. For more about enrollment and the waiver process, or to set up a tour, call registrar Donna Marks at 239-472-1617 or email donnamm@leeschools.net.

Sanibel Causeway Toll Facility Maintenance Work

Sanibel received notice this week from Lee County of scheduled preventative maintenance work at the Sanibel Toll Facility. Work will be performed beginning Monday, August 23, between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and is expected to continue until September 3. No work will be done during Labor Day weekend.

The County urges motorists to use caution. Intermittent lane closures will be necessary in the work areas. At least two lanes will always remain open. (The Sanibel Causeway Toll Facility and Bridges are owned and operated by the Lee County Board of County Commissioners.)

TRIM Notices Coming Soon

Usually, mid-August is when the Lee County Property Appraiser’s office mails out annual TRIM notices to property owners. TRIM stands for “Truth in Millage” and is the official notice, required by state law, of the proposed property taxes.

A TRIM Notice is not the tax bill, but an estimate of the expected taxes based on the proposed millage rates for that year. It considers the property value as of January 1 of the year and any applicable exemptions applicable to the property, such as a homestead exemption.

The TRIM notice is important as it is it provides a 25-day window for an owner to contest the taxable value of their property. Each year, the Property Appraiser’s Office uses available information to assess the value of the property. Here on the islands, the Appraiser’s Office has access to our Multiple Listing System information.

In a hot market, property values are destined to go up. When you get your TRIM notice, if you think you have grounds to contest the value, please let us know if we can provide comparable sales info.

City of Sanibel Budget

Sanibel’s draft budget for the next fiscal year – October 1, 2021 through September 30, 2022 was prepared with an operating millage rate of 1.8922 which is the same rate that was assessed to taxpayers last year. The City Finance Director recently advised City Council that the 2021 budget was prepared when the effects of the pandemic on economy were unknown. Since then, better-than-expected revenues and expense-saving initiatives in preceding years have put the City in a good economic position heading into this budget cycle. The 2022 draft budget is 12.1% higher than the adopted budget for fiscal year 2021.

According to an article posted in today’s “Island Sun”, the City’s taxable property value for fiscal year 2022 has been assessed by the Lee County Property Appraiser at $5,615,472,773 which is a 3.74% higher than last year which was an all-time historical high.

The City millage rate has decreased approximately 10% since 2013 to reach the 1.8922 rate proposed.

The first public hearing on the budget will be held Monday September 13 and the final hearing will be Monday, September 27, both at 5:01 p.m. in MacKenzie Hall at 800 Dunlop Rd.

Tarpon Bay Brings Back Breakfast Cruise & Touch Tank

As posted this week in “News from “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society: “For the first time since pandemic lockdown, Tarpon Bay Explorers, the Refuge recreation concession, has resumed its Breakfast Cruises and Touch Tank sessions. The morning cruises which run Wednesdays at 8:30 a.m., tour around Tarpon Bay in pursuit of wildlife such as birds, manatees, and dolphins. Participants enjoy a continental-style breakfast during the cruise, including freshly made doughnuts from Bailey’s General Store with coffee, tea, or orange juice. The last half hour is spent at the Touch Tank where guests get a hands-on experience to learn about the wildlife that lives beneath bay waters.”

Captiva Beach Renourishment Project Update

Those visiting Captiva might want to take note of the following parking lot closures from the island beach re-nourishment project underway. Designed to last about eight to ten years, the re-nourishment project is expected to provide the necessary maintenance to counteract long-term critical erosion of Captiva’s beaches, properties, and shorelines.

Alison Hagerup Beach Park – 14790 Captiva Dr

· Sep 3 to 10 – full closure

· Sep 11 to Oct 7 – partial closure

· Oct 8 to 22 – full closure

Turner Beach – 17200 Captiva Dr

· Aug 6 to 18 – full closure

· Aug 18 to Sep 2 – partial closure

· Sep 3 to 10 – full closure.

Sanibel Recreation Center

The Rec Center was closed this week and will remain closed through Sunday (August 8) to complete annual maintenance projects. It reopens Monday August 9.

Daily, weekly, semi-annual, and annual memberships are available. Beach parking permits are purchased at the Rec Center too.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 30 – August 6, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tantara #102 2/2 $1.139M.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Oceans Reach #3A1 2/2 listed at $894.9K, Island Beach Club #330B 2/2 listed at $989K.

2 closed sales: Spanish Cay #F2 1/1 $325K, Nutmeg Village #313 2/2 $1.295M.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1846 Ardsley Way 2/2 $700K; 535 Birdsong Pl 3/2 $721,555; 556 Sea Oats Dr 3/2 $1.075M; 743 Durion Ct 3/2 $1.299M; 509 Lagoon Dr 3/2 $1.795M; 1266 Par View Dr 4/4 $2.295M.

5 price changes: 1025 S. Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $850K, 565 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $899K, 5817 San-Cap Rd 4/2 now $1.19M, 5379 Shearwater Dr 4/3 now $2.149M, 737 Periwinkle Way 3/3 now $2.2M.

6 new sales: 1444 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 listed at $489K, 5308 Ladyfinger Lake 3/3 listed at $779K, 4506 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 listed at $819K, 460 Sawgrass Pl 2/1 listed at $849K, 1866 Farm Tr 3/3 listed at $890K, 5786 San-Cap Rd 2/2 listed at $1.029M.

9 closed sales: 1717 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 $550K, 9431 Moonlight Dr 3/2 $850K, 540 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $975K, 221 Robinwood Cir 3/2 $980K, 633 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 $1M, 4516 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2.5 $1.005M, 539 N Yachtsman Dr 4/3.5 $1.3M, 5809 San-Cap Rd 3/2 $1.351M, 1001 Schooner Pl 3/2.5 $1.6M.

LOTS

3 new listings: 1272 Par View $459K, 845 Pyrula Ave $515K, 638 Lake Murex Cir $565K.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: 5116 Sea Bell Rd $210K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Captiva-Hideaway #D 2/2 listed at $1.075M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

1 new sale: 10 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 $1.395M.

No price changes, new sales, or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Island Beaches Are Busy & The Real Estate Market Stays HOT!

Posted on July 23, 2021 by SanibelSusan

It was another busy real estate week at SanibelSusan Realty. We got another new gulf-front condo listing, had a nice gulf-front condo closing, and showings and offers at our only two listings. One now is under contract while the other in negotiations. So, if you are wondering, the market still is HOT and the SanibelSusan team continues to look for more listings – since as soon as we get them, they sell!

The full details on the real estate activity here and the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service are after a couple of news items below.

Island Weather

Teammate Dave took this one Wed near West Rocks

Weather-wise, it has been another week of beautiful bright summer days, followed by some evening showers in inland Lee County.

I took a spin at noon today to check out beach parking since social media lately has been full of comments about lots often being full. That certainly was the case at Lighthouse Beach where the gulf was busy with swimmers, beachgoers, shellers, fishermen, and boaters. There were nine vehicles lined up looking for spots at their main parking lot with the fishing pier lot also full.

Check out the water photo below. It continues to sparkle in those Caribbean-blue-tones. Fingers crossed that it continues!

Taken at noon today near the Lighthouse

Lee County Begins Causeway Islands Project

There was lots of social media chatter this week about the Australian pines coming down on the causeway islands. Here’s the full report by Wendy McMullen that was posted on the front page of today’s “Island Sun”:

“Trees are already coming down on the Sanibel Causeway islands in preparation for an $8.5 million plan to enhance the amenities and control erosion on the islands. The trees being removed – such as the Australian pines – are non-native and considered exotic and invasive. They will be replaced eventually with native trees.

“Among the improvements envisioned for the islands are structured parking (it is not known if this will involve paid parking of some sort), pavilions, pathways, additional restrooms, landscaping, T-groins and erosion control structures.

“On Island A, the furthest from Sanibel, picnic and recreational vehicle parking areas will be added at the northern end along a more formalized event space. There will also be a paddle-craft loading and unloading area, restrooms and an equipment storage area, along with parking for 83 vehicles on the southern end. Island B will have parking for another 213 vehicles.

“Both islands will have erosion control structures designed to keep bay waters from covering the road in storm conditions. This will include two rock groins and renourishment of the beaches. The causeway road itself will not be elevated.

“Work is already starting on erosion control structures and the design of the upland structures. Building the amenities will begin in spring 2022 and continue until the summer of 2024.

“The project will be funded using tourist development taxes and state funds. Lee County plans a public meeting later this summer or fall. Announcements about its time, date, location and how to participate will be forthcoming.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® July Membership Meeting

Yesterday at the July Membership Meeting of the local association of Realtors®, the speaker was Tim Moore, from Sanibel’s Planning Department Code Enforcement. He provided handouts and info on the island’s Dwelling Rental License and Registration process. This is required for every Sanibel property that rents.

Begun in October 2019, the forms for this process are on-line at www.MySanibel.com (under Planning Dept forms). Approximately 2,200 properties already are licensed. Form completion is required for an initial license and registration, annual license and registration renewal, and for any revision to the license and registration.

The first step in the process is applying for a Business Tax Receipt (formerly occupational license) at the City Finance Department. The 2^nd step is completing and submitting the Dwelling Rental License and Registration form.

The type of rental dwelling could be:

Limited Rental, for properties rented via written lease for longer than 6 months (so exempt from Florida Sales Tax), this includes annual rentals;
Limited Rental, or those limited by City Code to 28 consecutive days per occupancy;
Unlimited Rental, rentals not limited by City Code to a minimum number of days.

Once a Dwelling Rental License (DRL) number is issued, it must appear in all advertising, as must the minimum rental period if not in a resort district.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 16-23, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sanibel Moorings #512 2/2 $1.195M (our listing), Island Beach Club #330E 2/2 $1.295M.

Sanibel Moorings #512

1 price change: Tarpon Beach #305 2/2 now $1.1M.

6 new sales: Sundial #I103 1/1 listed at $499K, Sundial #J301 1/1 listed at $605K, Mariner Pointe #631 2/2 listed at $695K, Breakers West #A5 2/2 listed at $749K, Gulf Beach #106 2/2 listed at $899K (our listing), Sanddollar #C101 2/2 listed at $1.21M.

View from Gulf Beach #106

3 closed sales: Tarpon Beach #102 2/2 $1.125M, Gulfside Place #124 2/2 $1.385M, Gulfside Place #115 2/2 $1.995M (our listing).

Gulfside Place #115

HOMES

6 new listings: 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 $799K, 460 Sawgrass Pl 2/1 $849K, 565 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $939K, 5817 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 4/2 $1.25M, 9464 Calla Ct 3/2.5 $1.45M, 1304 Seaspray Ln 3/2.5 $4.695M.

No price changes.

4 new sales: 754 Donax St 4/2 duplex listed at $599K, 1702 Bunting Ln 4/3 listed at $749K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $859K, 5268 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 listed at $999K.

5 closed sales: 1612 Serenity Ln 3/2 $672K, 4505 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/3 $675K, 1376 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $750K, 1426 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $1.15M, 1218 Ferry Rd 3/2 $1.231M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 3308 Saint Kilda Rd $582K, 470 Sawgrass Pl $795K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 2133 Starfish Ln listed at $529K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Lands End Village #1633 2/2 $1.599M, Beach Homes #33 4/3 $3.2M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2414 2/2 listed at $875K.

No closed sales.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

(a couple more photos below taken today on way to the Lighthouse)

Summertime & The Market Still is HOT!

Posted on July 16, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Welcome to another Friday real estate update. The Sanibel & Captiva Islands market remains “hot” with the below summary showing the status of inventory today, sales year-to-date, sales last year, and for comparison, sales in the peak price year, 2006. (Note info based on The Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service. Prices “for sale” and “under contract” are asking prices.)

The SanibelSusan Team is thankful that of the 69 Sanibel properties under contract, four are our transactions, but we need listings. Plenty of buyers are ready, in the wings. We get inquiries every week from colleagues looking for properties coming on the market, while we personally have condo buyers waiting for availability at Blind Pass, Gulfside Place, Sand Point, and Sandalfoot, as well as several others wanting a variety of properties, including east-end home, canal-front property, near-beach home, large Captiva home with rental income. We have a few lot buyers too, so if you are thinking of selling, please give us a call. The seller’s market will continue until inventory improves.

It also appears that our summer visitor traffic remains high. Yesterday, the City issued their first summer high-traffic notice, after 5,500 vehicles had crossed the causeway before noon. That much oncoming traffic typically results in late afternoon slowdowns. When in doubt, check Sanibel’s traffic cams at https://www.mysanibel.com/Live-Street-Cams.

	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
SANIBEL	#	Avg $	DOM	#	Avg $	DOM	#	Avg $	DOM
For sale	18	819,044	152	29	2,449,893	124	14	558,414	334
Under contract	19	825,973	44	40	1,388,435	70	10	754,279	290
Closed 2021 to 7/16	190	864,843	143	238	1,309,063	100	55	723,627	479
Closed 2020	192	733,876	174	290	954,718	161	23	606,233	393
Closed 2006	143	866,972	147	156	1,143,682	186	18	523,917	158

	CONDOS			HOMES			LOTS
CAPTIVA	#	Avg $	DOM	#	Avg $	DOM	#	Avg $	DOM
For sale	6	1,339,000	127	12	5,910,583	258	0	N/A	N/A
Under contract	5	2,569,400	123	1	2,695,000	302	1	4,250.000	1,287
Closed 2021 to 7/16	39	1,006,830	184	35	2,807,868	270	1	2,000,000	129
Closed 2020	47	821,713	134	27	2,923,148	315	4	2.537,500	448
Closed 2006	21	1,362,476	180	10	2,307,375	334	4	2,218,750	432

After a couple of news items below, see the details about the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

Summer of the Speed Buyer

From NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, as posted in the July-August 2021 “Realtor” magazine:

“The housing shortfall is driving up prices, but a crash is unlikely.

“Remember when it could take years to sell a home? MLS’s were flooded with distressed properties. In Miami, it was up to six years, according to news accounts in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis.

“Today, of course, it’s the opposite story. It’s generally taking just a couple of weeks, and sometimes days, to find a buyer. From listing to contract, homes typically sold in 17 days in April, the fastest rate ever. In most markets, home buyers can’t risk leisurely weighing several listings before committing to likely the most expensive purchase of their life. Rushed decisions can easily lead to buyer misgivings – about overspending for the home, its size, or having insufficient reserves for upkeep. Still, most buyers come to see they made the right decision in these competitive times. Seeing price, and hence their wealth, rising helps.

“Could it all crash as happened from 2008 to 2010? Not likely. The current housing cycle is fundamentally different. We thankfully don’t have risky subprime mortgages that overstretched buyers’ budgets. The gatekeepers at banks, mortgage brokers, and government regulators demand that loan-to-value ratios, debt-to-income rations, and income documentation meet guidelines before a mortgage is approved. To be sure, even with soundly written mortgages, we know some defaults can occur.

“A second major difference is supply. Leaking up to the housing bubble heyday, builders overbuilt. By my calculations, America had 2.1 million surplus housing units by 2006. Following the crash, underproduction steadily chipped away at the surplus, such that inventory normalized by 2011. Continuing underproduction led to the housing shortage. By 2015, the shortfall was 2 million homes. By the end of 2020, it totaled 4.8 million homes. The lack of inventory is why home prices are in no danger of falling sharply.

“Homebuilding activity in 2021 will be slightly above historical norms. But it will take at least a few years to correct the massive shortage. In the meantime, we expect the national median home price to rise 9% this year and another 3% in 2022. Hyper-speed homebuying should taper off by year’s end as supply improves and affordability challenges persist.”

Elsa Washes Away 45 Sea Turtle Nests on Sanibel

SCCF photo

From SCCF’s Wednesday update:

“Tropical Storm Elsa’s strong southern winds caused 125 sea turtle nests on Sanibel and Captiva to lose their marking stakes and protective screens. Sea turtle staff members have been working diligently over the last week to confirm whether the eggs washed away, too, or if they are still buried in the sand.

“Using highly accurate coordinates collected with a Trimble device, SCCF staff and volunteers were able to confirm that 40 of the 85 nests that lost their stakes on Sanibel survived the extreme tidal action. However, 45 nests were completely washed-out on Sanibel, reports SCCF Coastal Wildlife Director Kelly Sloan. The assessment on Captiva is still underway.

“Please remember that sea turtles have a nesting strategy that accommodates natural storm events. Female sea turtles deposit several nests throughout the nesting season, essentially hedging their bets to make sure that even if a hurricane or tropical storm hits during nesting season, there is a high probability at least a few of the nests will incubate successfully. For instance, in early June 2020, TS Cristobal washed away 29 nests and, in September, TS Sally washed away 17 nests on Sanibel and Captiva. Yet, there were still a record-breaking 924 nests last year.”

CEPD Provides Updated Start Date for Project

From the July 14, 2021 “Island Reporter”:

“On July 8, the Captiva Erosion Prevention District reported that the beach re-nourishment project’s start was being coordinated with its contractor, Great Lakes Dredge and Dock, and the resource agencies. Following recent and ongoing planning discussions, construction is now projected to start no earlier than August 26, pending all notice-to-proceed approvals from the agencies….

“Barring any unforeseen delays, the project is estimated to take approximately 35 days to place the contracted 600,000 cubic yards once construction is underway….

“Construction for the beach re-nourishment will first move south near 16141 Captiva Dr to Turner Beach, and then north to fill in the remainder of the island in a similar manner. The beach fill will be placed along 4.85 miles of shoreline and the rehabilitation of existing dunes between Redfish Pass and Blind Pass.

“Designed to last beyond eight to 10 years, the project will provide the necessary maintenance to counteract long-term critical erosion of Captiva’s beaches, properties and shorelines. The project plans, design specifications, cost estimates and tentative cost apportionments are on file and available for public review at the CEPD’s office, at 11513 Andy Rosse Lane, Unit 4, Captiva (phone 239-472-2472).”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 9-16, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Sundial #I103 1/1 $499K, Mariner Pointe #631 2/2 $695K, Sanibel Surfside #213 2/2 $920K, Tarpon Beach #305 2/2 $1.25M.

No price changes.

4 new sales: Spanish Cay #F7 1/1 listed at $395K, Mariner Pointe #323 2/2.5 listed at $549K, Loggerhead Cay #282 2/2 listed at $695K, Sanibel Arms West #C6 2/2 listed at $955K, Gulfside Place #225 2/2 listed at $1.595M.

3 closed sales: Pointe Santo #D24 2/2 $755K, Sanibel Surfside #115 2/2 $1.04M, Sundial #A205 2/2 $1.285M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 1702 Bunting Ln 4/3 $749K, 545 Lighthouse Way 3/3.5 $3.395M.

2 price changes: 5268 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 now $999K, 1077 Bird Ln 3/3.5 now $5.699M.

No new sales.

4 closed sales: 974 Greenwood Ct S 3/2.5 half-duplex $522K, 5161 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/2 $585K, 2011 Mitzi Ln 2/1 $642.5K, 1306 Seaspray Ln 4/4 $3.8M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 0 Dixie Beach Blvd listed at $399,555.

2 closed sales: 2095 Wild Lime Dr $260K, 1028 Bayview Dr $2.08M.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Beach Homes #25 3/2 listed at $2.095M, Beach Homes #6 3/3 listed at $2.879M.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 11540 Laika Ln 2/2.5 $1.49M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Happy Friday! Will post again next week at this time.

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Celebrating July 4th Weekend on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on July 2, 2021 by SanibelSusan

Another Friday has rolled around as Sanibel and Captiva have settled into summer – with sunny, occasionally cloudy mornings, then late afternoon showers cooling things down before a beautiful sunset.

It was quiet in the office all week, with similar news from other real estate offices. With the real estate market hot and only 81 properties available on both islands (condos/homes/lots), many prospective buyers are discouraged and playing the waiting game.

The weekly action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service follows a couple of news items below.

July 4^th Holiday Weekend on the Islands

Though some are disappointment that there will not be a holiday parade or fireworks on Sanibel, the precautions are understood and appreciated. We still can decorate though – so, as usual, SanibelSusan Realty will be decked out in red, white, and blue as thankful freedom reminders.

If you are looking for some pre-July 4^th fun, the San-Cap Motor Club is hosting a Cars and Coffee cruise-in tomorrow, Sat, Jul 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Periwinkle Place Shopping Center.

After that, the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club’s 41^st Annual Road Rally will line-up for a noon start time at The Timbers Restaurant parking lot. To sign up for the 2021 Freedom Road Rally, contact Randy Carson at RCarson@gmail.com. Cost is $50 per vehicle and prizes will be awarded. Registration will be accepted until 11:45 a.m. on race day. The afterglow party and awards presentations will immediately follow the rally in The Sanibel Grill at The Timbers.

On 4^th of July, there is a celebration at American Legion Post #123, 4249 San-Cap Rd with free hot dogs served all day, plus music by The Marty Stokes Band from 3 to 6 p.m.

Also on July 4^th, South Seas Resort will host their annual golf cart parade and fireworks. You must be a registered guest to enter the resort grounds.

At the J.N. “Ding” Darling Visitor and Education center, the refuge staff will observe Independence day on Mon, July 5, with the administrative building and Visitor Center closed, but Wildlife Drive and its trails, Bailey Tract, and Tarpon Bay Explorers remain open with their regular hours.

Presenting Offers: OK with License Law? Code of Ethics?

Posted recently at FloridaRealtors on-line, this article by Meredith Caruso (Associate General Counsel for Florida Realtors®) provides direction for Realtors® but offers good information for Sellers and Buyers too.

“Your exhausted seller received five offers in one day. Four are over asking price, but the last one offers $50,000 less, possibly making it a waste of time for an already exhausted seller. Must you still present it? Perhaps not – but only under very specific conditions.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – In today’s fast paced market, sellers receive many competitive offers on their properties. Some sellers may choose to ask for highest and best; some sellers may just accept one of the offers presented to them.

“This article isn’t about that though. This article focuses on the agents involved and their actions with regards to offers and counteroffers.

“Florida real estate licensees can have one of three types of agency relationships with buyers and sellers: single agent, transaction broker or no brokerage relationship. Unless a licensee has something in writing with their respective party indicating single or no brokerage relationship, Florida law presumes you are in a transaction broker relationship.

“Under a transaction broker relationship – as well as single agent relationship – you have obligations with regards to offers and counteroffers. Additionally, Article 1, Standard of Practice 1-6, 1-7 and 1-8 of the Code of Ethics set forth further requirements regarding the presentation of offers and counteroffers.

“Specifically, per Florida Statute 475.278, the licensee is obligated to present all offers and counteroffers in a timely manner, unless a party has previously directed the licensee otherwise in writing. This article focuses on the language of this statute.

“What does this mean in plain English? Unless your buyer or seller sent you something in writing in advance, or you’ve added something into your listing or buyer brokerage agreement clarifying what kinds of offers and counteroffers they want to see, you must present them all.

“We all know the market is hot right now, so I understand the pressure to act quickly, on both sides. However, Florida Realtors Legal Hotline calls have included statements from Realtors® indicating that some sellers feel overwhelmed by the number of offers they’re receiving. As a result, these agents try to help by picking and choosing which offers the sellers see.

“Let me be clear: If you don’t have something in writing in advance – before you received those multiple offers – stating that you’re able to do this, it’s a violation of your real estate licensing law.

“Does this mean this can’t happen at all? No! But you must do it properly.

“If you’re a listing agent taking a listing, you can easily have a conversation with the sellers and should be asking a variety of questions, including what kind of offers the sellers are looking for. Do they only want to see cash offers? Do they only want to see offers over a certain price point? Do they only want to see offers that can close by a certain time? If so, clarify that in writing in your listing agreement or get it in writing some other way from your sellers. Then if you get offers that don’t fall within the sellers’ criteria, you do not have to present those offers and are able to move forward, confident you are in compliance with your real estate licensing law and the Code of Ethics.”

SCCF’s June 30, 2021 Turtle Update

As locals and visitors tentatively watch what is happening south of Florida with Tropical Storm Elsa, it was great news to read this week’s email update from the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation. Here it is, titled “Green Sea Turtles Return to Nest on Sanibel”:

“In the last few weeks, SCCF’s sea turtle team has documented 12 green sea turtle… nests on Sanibel. The team has been able to identify four different individual green nesters, two of which have been seen on Sanibel in years past and were part of a satellite tag tracking project in 2017, 2018, and 2019.

“Most of the nesting on Sanibel and Captiva is primarily by loggerhead sea turtles so a different species is always extra exciting,” said Research Associate Andrew Glinsky. “Based on the number and timing of nests there could possibility be as many as two more green sea turtles that we have yet to positively ID.”

“…As of today, Sanibel has 440 loggerhead nests… and Captiva has 139 loggerhead nests as hatching season is ramping up on our islands…. To date, nine nests on both islands have hatched, with nearly 1,000 hatchlings.”

Surfside Condo Tragedy Could Influence RE Market

As we all have watched the devastation on Florida East Coast, this article posted Wed on FloridaRealtors® is sourced to 2021 “Miami Herald” and distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. There is some interested info in the article.

Sanibel residents appreciate that there are no high-rise buildings here, prevented by our building code. Interestingly, in recent months, local West Coast Realtors® have seen an increase in business from East Coast buyers looking to get out of the Miami hustle bustle post-COVID. I wonder if the Surfside tragedy will mean even more future business here.

“It could take years to understand the Surfside tragedy’s cause, and condo buyers will likely pay more attention to building inspections and assessments going forward.

“MIAMI – As grim images of rescue workers sifting through the wreckage of the Champlain South Tower circulate around the world, Miami’s kingpin condo real-estate industry is bracing for a slide.

““In the short-term, the effect of the collapse will be jarring,” said real estate attorney Jesse-Dean Kluger, who said he spent the weekend fielding calls from clients under contract for units in older buildings. “You’re going to have some pushback from buyers on the closing dates, because why would you close before you have an inspection and a satisfactory report?” he said. “This could be a deal-breaker for some clients.”

“Built in 1981, the beachfront Champlain Towers South condo, located at 8777 Collins Ave., partially collapsed on the morning of June 24 shortly after 1:30 a.m. The building was going through its 40-year recertification process.

“Search and rescue efforts are ongoing – While the exact cause of the collapse probably won’t be known for at least a year, two suspected contributors – salt air and ocean water – are cause for concern for would-be buyers of waterfront condos in older buildings. In the short-term, at least, some experts say they expect the brakes to slam on what has been a county-wide sales bonanza.

““At the very least, people are being more sensitive to association fees and checking the financial health of the association,” said Ron Shuffield, president and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices EWM Realty. “These 40-year recertifications are now something that everyone is aware of, instead of just the industry. Buyers are also looking more closely to the construction of the building.” Increased attention to such detail is a positive development, said Shuffield. But it likely also will lead to higher prices and deter some buyers, say experts.

““Every condo, especially the older ones, are going to want to hire an expert and verify the integrity of their buildings,” said Alex Barthet, managing member of the Barthet Construction Law Firm and publisher of thelienzone.com website. “These are probably not fully budgeted items, so this will increase the assessments,” Barthet said. “That’s going to send buyers away, because they only have a certain number of dollars to spend, so why spend them on an older building?”

“According to the Miami Association of Realtors, sales of existing condos jumped a whopping 286% in May year-over-year, from 563 to 2,176, driven primarily by U.S. buyers from tax-burdened states. The median sales price of existing condos rose to $325,000, a 25% year-over-year increase, and sales of existing condos priced between $400,000-$600,000 – a range that includes many older waterfront buildings – increased 475.4% to a total of 328 transactions.

“The Champlain Towers South, where property records show a total of 14 units were sold over the last three years, was part of the sales boom. Condos in the town of Surfside may be particularly hard hit for the next year, especially in older buildings, said Ana Bozovic, founder of brokerage and consulting firm Analytics Miami. Buildings located near the collapse site may be most affected. Bozovic said resale prices might drop for the ultra-luxury Eighty Seven Park, which is adjacent to the site of the collapse and currently has seven units for sale priced between $2 million-$11 million. “Who wants to buy something overlooking this collapse? People died there,” she said. “People don’t want to look at the site.”

““When 9/11 happened, it affected the lower Manhattan area,” she said. “It’s going to be the same thing here.”

Buyer hesitation also may affect newer buildings, say experts. Such was the case for an attorney whose clients were scheduled to close on a Bal Harbour condo the day after the Surfside collapse. “They got cold feet, even though the building where they were buying is only three years old,” said the lawyer, who declined to be named. “They just needed a minute to hear more about what happened at the Champlain Tower. A lot of people with active contracts can delay their closings, but they can’t pull out because they would lose their deposits. They’re stuck.”

“Inspections underway – Miami-Dade County and the city of Miami Beach have started doing visual inspections and audits of buildings nearing or at their 40-year recertification process, which is required by county law. The city of Miami has gone further, requiring inspections of all buildings 40 years and older that are six stories or taller. The city has given condo associations a 45-day deadline to provide letters detailing the condition of their buildings signed by licensed structural engineers.

“But the enforcement boost hasn’t eased buyer concerns. “The question is, does being able to walk out on the sand surpass the value of safety?” said real estate analyst Jack McCabe. “What I thought was going to be paradise could now be a danger. “This collapse is the tip of the iceberg,” McCabe said. There are a lot of other buildings affected by sea level rise and hurricanes that are 40-50 years old, that have not been well maintained, and that have put off special assessments” – that can run into millions.

“Favorable pricing has been the chief attraction of older buildings. “It comes back to affordability,” said Dan Kodsi, CEO of the Miami-based development firm Royal Palms Companies, which developed the Paramount Worldcenter tower. “A lot of people live in those older buildings because they can afford it and still get to live by the water.”

“But repairs can diminish the differential. “Getting hit with a huge assessment bill is going to become a bigger factor in the minds of buyers,” McCabe said. “It could be a much more costly endeavor buying an existing unit than it was in the past.”

“Age matters – The numbers tell the story. According to the real estate firm Condovulturesrealty.com, some 1,660 units in buildings on the barrier islands built before 2000 – or before Florida’s building code was strengthened to its current standard – currently are listed for sale, with an average price per unit of $589,692. During the first three months of 2021, 779 sales were closed at an average price of $487,384. Currently 491 units are under contract at an average price of $484,821.

“In comparison, the current 1,241 active listings of condos in buildings on the barrier islands built after 2000 have an average asking price of $3,141,845 – a price tag beyond the reach of all but the wealthy.

“The gap likely will widen. “What you’re going to see is anything built before 2000 is going to suffer and [drop] their prices,” said Peter Zalewski, co-founder of Condo Vultures. “We have always told our clients not to look at anything built before then. Right now the system is stacked against any due diligence by the buyer. The associations are very private, and they’re not going to share any information that might impact pricing. They give the condo docs, and in three days your offer is locked in by default according to state law.” “According to Zalewski, there were 139 towers fronting the Atlantic Ocean in Miami-Dade County as of November 2019. Of those, only 60 were built between 2000-2019. The other 79 towers were built between 1930-1999.

“While waterfront has long been considered prime territory, inland locations have been gaining favor as waterfront prices soar and climate change becomes a greater concern. A recent study of “climate gentrification” in Miami-Dade showed home buyers and renters are increasingly choosing properties on higher-elevation land, most of which happens to be in primarily Black and Hispanic neighborhoods.

“The collapse may speed the inland migration. Cordelia Anderson, founder of the Miami-based I Heart Real Estate LLC brokerage firm, said one of her prospective condo buyers from New York is now considering moving her search more inland, expressing concern about the structural integrity of coastal buildings and sea level rise.

“Falling prices? The seemingly inevitable price drop of older condos in beachfront locations isn’t just a problem for their owners and brokers. According to the Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser, the county is poised to collect more than $94 billion in 2020 taxes from condominium owners – money that goes to everything from schools and police and fire services to infrastructure repairs and maintenance.

“If prices of older condos take a nosedive, all Miami-Dade residents will feel the pinch, since taxes are calculated by property values. But if prices drop far enough in older buildings to make selling too much of a loss for the owner, there’s another possible scenario that could eliminate the problem altogether, said Alicia Cervera, chairman and principal of Cervera Real Estate: Condo termination, in which owners decide to sell the entire building to a developer interested in building something new at the location.

“When you sell an entire building in a triple-A location to a developer, you get a much better price for your condo,” she said. “It may be that some associations are not doing the repairs because they simply can’t afford it. Selling to a developer could be a solution for the owners and would result in the buildings being taken down before they become unlivable. It’s a good exit strategy for a lot of condo owners.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 25-July 2, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Mariner Pointe #231 2/2 now $674K.

1 new sale: Loggerhead Cay #433 2/2 listed at $735K.

7 closed sales: Sundial #F106 1/1 $440K, Sanctuary Heron #3A 2/2.5 $760K, Pointe Santo #A1 2/2 $868.5K, Sanibel Surfside #123 2/2 $905K, Loggerhead Cay #101 2/2 $964K, Sundial #P403 2/2 $1.3M, Sanddollar #A102 3/2 $1.425M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 5809 San-Cap Rd 3/2 $1.35M, 5379 Shearwater Dr 4/3 $2.295M.

1 price change: 5270 Indian Ct 6/6.5 now $2.295M.

5 new sales: 1376 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed at $710K, 1270 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $859K, 1450 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $1.199M, 633 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 listed at $1.235M, 1206 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $1.249M.

12 closed sales: 1643 Bunting Ln 2/2 $626K, 1737 Serenity Ln 3/2 $635K, 429 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $740K, 1585 Serenity Ln 3/3 $749K, 2480 Library Way 3/2.5 $725K, 770 Donax St 2/2 $850K, 1469 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $969K, 450 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $980K, 812 Sanddollar Dr 3/3 $1.2M, 3385 Twin Lakes Ln 5/5 $1.5M, 1460 Middle Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $1.725M, 4701 Rue Belle Mer 4/5 $3.395M.

LOTS

1 new listing: Dixie Beach Blvd $399.5K.

1 new sale: 2431 Shop Rd listed at $249.9K.

1 closed sale: West Gulf Dr $3.895M.

Captiva

CONDOS

No listings or price changes.

1 new sale: Beach Homes #20 3/3 listed at $3.549M.

3 closed sales: Bayside Villas #4118 1/2 $425K, Bayside Villas #5318 3/3 $789.9K, Lands End #1629 2/2 $1.376M.

HOMES

Nothing to report.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Wishing you and yours a safe and happy July 4^th holiday weekend.

Sanibel & Captiva Sunshine, Real Estate, Property Values, Climate Control, & More…

Posted on June 11, 2021 by SanibelSusan

The wonderful sunny Sanibel/Captiva weather continues, and it was another good week for SanibelSusan with in/out repair surgery yesterday on my torn meniscus. Amazing how the fix-up was quick and easy at Orthopedic Specialists of SW FL Center for Specialized Surgery, followed by PT this morning at Island Therapy (right next door to SanibelSusan Realty). Highly recommend both facilities as I am already back at work and on to real estate news.

At Sanibel Susan Realty

Tues, pre-surgery, I taught the Resort & 2nd-Home Module of the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation at the islands’ Association of Realtors®. With attendees both in person & via Zoom, it was fun to again have a live audience. (Last year, with COVID, it was only offered via Zoom.) Thanks to all who participated & Association staff, CEO Bill Robinson & Education Director Megan Rose, who made it easy. It was great to have a mix of newbies, long-time Realtors, all island-lovers with different life stories, yet eager to keep learning. Their input makes teaching fun!

Our office condo listing (White Sands #23) closed yesterday. Thanks to Realtor Kate Helman who sold this and recently another of our condo listings. Her excellent follow-up is appreciated. Great efforts also from David Wright & his crew at Sanibel-Captiva Community Bank, Cameron Anholt at Royal Shell Vacation Rentals, Patience Rodriguez at Select Vacation Properties, Michelle Landl at Knight Barry Title, Carol McCarley at Noak & Company CPA, and teammates Dave, Elise, and Lisa. Like with a knee, a real estate transaction can take a village. Teamwork makes the dream work!

After a couple of other news items below is the action this week in the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

High Flood-Risk Homes Sell for More Than Low-Risk

Posted Wed on FloridaRealtors, by Kerry Smith: “SEATTLE – A study of flood-risk and home values suggests that concerns over climate change haven’t affected the value of property that’s located in a high-risk flood zone. It appears to be true even though consumers have greater access to flooding information via online listing advertising websites.

“In the first quarter of 2021, the median sale price of homes with high flood risk was $402,010, compared with $353,783 for homes with low flood risk, according to a new report from Redfin. That means high-risk homes sold for a record 13.6% premium – up from a premium of 10.1% in the first quarter of 2020 and up from a premium of 7.2% in the first quarter of 2019.

“Since 2013, homes with a high flood risk have sold, on average, for about 7% more than homes with low flood risk, likely because many of them are luxury waterfront properties. That premium surged during the coronavirus pandemic when many wealthy homebuyers started eyeing oceanfront or lakefront houses outside of major cities.

“”Americans are buying the beach houses they always dreamed of because they have the flexibility to work from wherever they want,” says Redfin Senior Economist Sheharyar Bokhari. “While flood risk is intensifying in many parts of the country, it doesn’t seem to be a deal breaker for a lot of homebuyers. This may be because buyers aren’t aware they’re purchasing a home in a flood plain or just don’t view it as an immediate danger. Places with high flood risk are also often home to large concentrations of retirees, many of whom don’t see climate change as a threat they need to worry about in their lifetime. Florida is one example.”

“Redfin and other real estate websites have started sharing property-level flood risk data online to help house hunters determine if the homes they’re interested in are located in flood plains and whether they should purchase flood insurance.

“Places prone to flooding are also seeing stronger growth in home sales. Sales of high-flood-risk homes rose 18.6% year over year in the first quarter – about double the 9.6% gain in sales of low-flood-risk homes.

“In Jacksonville, homebuyers often inquire about flood risk, but it virtually never causes them to back out, says local Redfin real estate agent Heather Kruayai. Jacksonville has two waterways running through it, and about 43,000 properties have a high flood risk, according to First Street Foundation’s Flood Factor. “If you buy a home on the water in Florida, flooding is just something that comes with the territory. Most buyers understand that,” Kruayai says. “A lot of out-of-state buyers have been moving here during the pandemic and purchasing waterfront properties, but there are also locals looking for space to spread out because the city has become so congested.” Kruayai says that flood risk isn’t even a strong negotiating factor if buyers hope to snag a lower price. “Even if you wanted to … you’d have a tough time because we’re in such a hot seller’s market.”

“Low-risk flood-zone homes do have one price advantage, however. Prices have gone up for all homes regardless of flood risk, but homes in low-risk zones are more likely to finalize a price higher than the owner’s asking price.

In the first quarter of 2021, 47.2% of low-flood-risk homes sold for more than their list price, compared with 37.4% of high-flood-risk homes. That 9.8-percentage-point gap is the largest on records dating back to 2013.

Overall, properties with low flood risk typically cost less than properties with high risk because they’re less likely to be on the beach or have any kind of waterfront view, Bokhari explained. Because low-risk properties are more affordable, they also face more competition, which means buyers are more likely to bid up the prices.”

Estimated Island Taxable Property Values Up

Early preliminary property tax values for Sanibel and Captiva have increased over 2020 according to an article posted in the Jun 9, 2021 “Islander”. It says, “The Lee County Property Appraiser’s Office released its estimated tax roll values on Jun 3, which indicate a 2,57% increase for the city of Sanibel and a 6.3% increase for Captiva as part of unincorporated Lee County. The official numbers will come out by July 1, then will be sent to Tallahassee for approval…” (Betcha those numbers next month are higher.)

Working Group Seeks To Make Sanibel a Model in Climate Policy

Also, in this week’s “Islander”: “On May 21, Lee County Chapter of the Climate Reality Project co-founder Bob Moore and Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Environmental Policy Director James Evans hosted the first meeting of the Renewable Energy Working Group, according to SCCF.

“The meeting brought together a collection of civic leaders, businesspeople, climate activists, and educators to discuss opportunities to address climate change through renewable energy policies. “The aim of this group is to make Sanibel a model for climate policy, similar to the way the Sanibel Plan has been a model for sustainable community development,” Evans said…. “By combining efforts across Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties, we will be able to capitalize on the expertise of … members and educate a wider range….”, Evans said.” Stay tuned.

Olivia McMurray Goes to Olympic Trials

Shout-out to island Realtor Mike McMurray and family, especially daughter Olivia who travels to Nebraska next week for the U.S. swimming trials for the Olympics. Olivia is a 2021 graduate of Fort Myers High School and eight-time Florida state high school champion. She will compete in six swim events with hopes of securing a spot if not in the next Olympics in Tokyo, perhaps the one after in Paris. Whatever the outcome, Olivia already is a success and her friends in SW FL are rooting for her and her proud family.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 4-11, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Mariner Pointe #323 2/2.5 $549K, Coquina Beach #2B 2/2 $595K, Sanibel Inn #3511 2/2 $695K, Pointe Santo #A26 2/2 $1.35M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Gulfside Place #124 2/2 listed at $1.385M.

8 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #1/1 $335K, Sundial #C409 1/1 $485K, Sandpebble #1D 2/2 $540K, Sanibel Arms West #I2 2/2 $599K, Sundial #C303 2/2 $690K, Pointe Santo #E3 2/2 $787K, Sanddollar #B101 2/2 $1.05M, White Sands #23 2/2 $1.05M (our listing).

HOMES

5 new listings: 1826 Farm Trl 3/2 $849K, 633 Lake Murex Cir 3/3 $1.299M, 917 Pepper Tree Pl 4/3 $1.349M, 737 Periwinkle Way 3/3 $2.3M, 856 Limpet Dr 4/2.5 $2.45M.

2 price changes: 4506 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 now $819K, 1146 Golden Olive Ct 5/4 now $3.099M.

7 new sales: 1737 Serenity Ln 3/2 listed at $635K, 1376 Jamaica Dr 2/2 listed at $699K, 4505 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/3 listed at $729K, 1371 Tahiti Dr 2/2 listed at $839K, 1025 S. Yachtsman Dr 3/1.5 listed at $850K, 1426 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $1.15M, 1218 Ferry Rd 3/2 listed at $1.23M

7 closed sales: 3031 Poinciana Cir 3/3 $690K, 9456 Beverly Ln 3/2 $735K, 1186 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $835K, 1117 Captains Walk St 2/2 $857K, 1743 Jewel Box Dr 3/3.5 $1.35M, 9445 Beverly Ln 4/3 $1.43M, 950 Victoria Way 4/4 $2.06M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 5648 Baltusrol Ct now $338.9K.

No new sales.

4 closed sales: 971 Main St $200K, 9056 Mockingbird Dr $349K, 6505 Pine Ave $675K, 6519 Pine Ave $725K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Sunset Beach Villas #2214 2/2 $752.5K.

HOMES

No new listings.

2 price changes: 11540 Laika Ln 2/2.5 now $1.525M, 11559 Laika Ln now $7.5M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 41 Oster Ct 2/2.5 $1.03M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: with contingencies: 16970 Captiva Dr listed at $4.25M.

No closed sales.

Roseate spoonbills

Until next Friday, I hope your life is rosy too!

Enjoy your weekend! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Island June = Raindrops & More Bunnies

Posted on June 4, 2021 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan reporting that the good news this week is that the rainy season has begun in SW Florida. Not that we like to see a lot of run-off which in years past has affected local water quality, but the island bunnies which I love – like it when tropical vegetation is green and lush, not yellow and crunchy. It was great to see several of these little critters out enjoying my lawn Thurs morning after our first “big” rain Wed night.

The island real estate world has been quiet even through the holiday weekend. The action over the last seven days posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service is after a couple of news items below. Not much is happening. Total available Sanibel inventory is 57 properties (condos, homes, lots) while Captiva has 19 available.

Here at SanibelSusan Realty, teammate Dave returns to the office Mon, while I now have a plan of action for my sore knee with a quick surgical procedure scheduled next week to repair a torn meniscus. How handy is it that Island Therapy is right next door to my office? I am all set to be up and running again soon, while teammate Elise has been the glue that has kept us together this week, with teammate Lisa on Sat.

CROW Wildlife Walks & Daily Presentations Return

This week CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife) announced that Wildlife Walk guided hospital tours and daily presentations are back. The guided hospital tours provide an opportunity for visitors to get an in-depth look into the inner workings of CROW’s hospital and the treatment process of over 5,000 wildlife patients each year. The 1-1/2-hour program has two parts: the daily presentation in the AWC Visitor Education Center followed by a guided tour through treatment areas of the hospital. Up-close encounters with Animal Ambassadors are included along the way. These tours resumed Jun 1 and will be offered Mon through Fri at 12:30 p.m. At all times, masks must be worn. Each tour is limited to eight people and advance registration is required. Program cost is $25 per person and includes General Admission to the AWC Visitor Education Center and the daily presentation. The program is open to all, but not recommended for children under the age of 13. Tours are subject to modification or cancellation based on animals being treated.

Free Summer Tours at The Refuge

The J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel will offer free summer tours from Jun 20 through Aug 7. There is no set schedule, so monitor the refuge’s Eventbrite page at https://www.eventbrite.com/o/jn-ding-darling-nwr-32246304043 to see what staff and volunteers are offering each week and to sign up for tours such as Birding the Refuge, car caravan tour, Mindfulness Walk at Bailey Tract, Bike Tour and Beach Walk.

Faces of Change

It was great to see a friendly face on the cover of the May-June Issue of Realtor® Magazine. It was none other than a Florida Realtors® Audition Panel colleague, Adam Gurske from Matchmaker Realty of Alachua County which is in Gainesville. He is one of the young real estate practitioners selected for the 2021 Class of 30 Under 30 for their resilience and adaptability during rapidly changing conditions that have forced a quick rethinking of business practices. “Adaptability is one trait that Adam’s ten years in the business have helped him hone. His Mom has been the area’s association executive for 30 years, so Adam has grown up in the business. At 29, he is active in his local association, a longtime board member of a local nonprofit that is dedicated to helping homeless families, all while being a multi-million $ producer with 28 transaction sides last year. If you ever need real estate assistance in Gainesville, I encourage you to contact Adam, and mention SanibelSusan. He is a solid hardworking smart young man.

14-Day Rental Rule

Good advice in the recent RSPS (Resort & 2^nd-Home Specialist) Newsletter: “With the interest in vacation rentals rising across the U.S., owners of second homes may be tempted to make that property available for rent. There are certain tax implications (and possible deductions) that are determined by the use of the second property as well as the length of time the property is rented out. Anyone interested should consult with a tax professional before proceeding.” (Click here for a link to IRS Topic 415 Renting Residential and Vacation Property.)

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation

Speaking of RSPS (Resort & 2^nd-Home Specialist), this week I updated that module for the islands specialist designation classes that are offered annually by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®. Earning the designation requires completion of 12 modules including this one. It was 2012 when I prepared that class for the first time. Time flies. Was not as much fun last year to teach it via Zoom. The class interaction, where we share experiences and advice, is the fun part. Wish me luck on Tuesday as I teach for the 9^th year.

SCCF Update – Periwinkle Wetlands Restoration Project Begins Next Week

Here is the latest, right from the Conservation Foundation’s Wed update email:

“Next week, SCCF will begin the preliminary steps of a multi-phase restoration project on the newly acquired Periwinkle Wetlands Preserve. “We are grateful that we were able to acquire these key 12-plus acres and we ask the public to please understand that we must clear the land of exotics before we can restore it,” said SCCF CEO Ryan Orgera. “Since it’s right on Perwinkle Way and highly visible, we want to explain the process so a return to a diverse, natural habitat is well understood.”

“Land Clearing Phase – Over the next several months, contractors will be conducting the land clearing phase, which will include the removal and eradication of dense stands of large, invasive exotic trees. The work will be overseen by SCCF Habitat Management staff and vegetation debris will be mulched on-site.

“In addition to the tree removal, SCCF staff will be conducting selective herbicide treatments to manage invasive exotic vines, groundcovers, and grasses. Habitat Management also will begin to revegetate many areas throughout the property and construct hiking trails.

“SCCF wants island residents and passersby to understand what is happening at the site as it begins to unfold.

““As the initial land clearing portion progresses, the conversion from densely vegetated to nearly barren land can often seem destructive and a shock to the senses. However, as the planting stage begins to take root, the landscape rapidly transitions back to a diverse, natural habitat,” explained Wildlife & Habitat Management Director Chris Lechowicz. Removing exotic plants — which lack any native predators or pests to keep them in check — is key to successful restoration.

““Invasive species can become dominant, rapidly displacing native plant communities and resulting in the loss of key habitats for migratory and resident bird populations as well as other animal species found throughout Sanibel Island,” Lechowicz said. Restoring land to its historic natural state reinforces SCCF’s rich history of conservation and its core mission “to protect and care for Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems.”

“Lechowicz said the timing of the restoration was planned around nature itself, and a firm completion date has not been established. “Restoration projects often take place over an extended period and many factors contribute to the time it takes to complete a project,” he said. “As summer approaches, thunderstorms, seasonal flooding, and hurricanes can delay portions of the restoration.”

“Restoration/Improvement Phase – Following the initial preserve restoration, improvements will be added to the approximately two acres fronting Periwinkle Way between Purdy and Martha’s Lanes. These improvements will be open to the public, while the majority of the preserve acreage will be dedicated for exclusive use as wildlife habitat. “The intentional reimagining of this space will connect visitors to nature and celebrate our shared and historic role in protecting and nurturing Southwest Florida’s coastal ecosystems,” said Orgera.

“After the exotics are removed, the community space will be replanted with thriving native landscaping. Inviting and inspiring, it will feature a 1,100-foot loop walking/biking trail connected to the shared-use path. The trail will take bikers and walkers through a welcome plaza with a water bottle-filling station and interpretive panels.

“A lush demonstration marsh with wetlands features will include water-quality education panels. There will be interpretative gardens with seasonal blooms and a sculpture garden to encourage thoughtful reflection on the importance of land, water, and wildlife. Throughout the restoration process, SCCF Habitat Management staff will routinely conduct inspections for the reintroduction of invasive, exotic species to ensure it is a diverse, healthy ecosystem.

““The Periwinkle Wetlands Preserve restoration project is essentially revitalizing characteristics of Sanibel’s historic ecosystems,” Orgera said, “while inviting in the public to learn more about Sanibel’s environment and to contemplate its beauty.””

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 28 – June 4, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Breakers West #A5 2/2 $895K, Villa Sanibel #2E 2/2 $959K, Sanddollar #C101 2/2 $1.21M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Coquina Beach #3D 2/2 listed at $599K.

5 closed sales: Pointe Santo #C4 1/1 $570K, White Sands #13 2/2 $938K, Gulfside Place #218 2/2 $1.35M, Pointe Santo #E24 3/2 $1.4225M, Shorewood #2D 3/2 $1.595M.

HOMES

2 new listings: 1737 Serenity Ln 3/2 $635K, 1376 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $699K.

1 price change: 3010 West Gulf Dr now $1.245M.

4 new sales: 1717 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 listed at $550K, 1550 Center St 3/2 listed at $799K, 1362 Tahiti Dr 4/3 listed at $1.295M, 539 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3.5 listed at $1.295M.

7 closed sales: 868 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $725K, 2098 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 $780K, 4377 Gulf Pines Dr 3/3 $860K, 509 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 $1.2M, 5773 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 2/2 $1.325M, 9441 Peaceful Dr 3/3.5 $1.395M, 2311 Starfish Ln 4/4 $1.945M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 5642 Baltusrol Ct now $339.9K.

1 new sale: 6141 Starling Way listed at $897K.

4 closed sales: 3013 Poinciana Cir $255K, 1044 Fish Crow Rd $350K, 9042 Mockingbird Dr $385K, 0 West Gulf Dr $3.7M.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

1 new listing: 14991 Binder Dr 4/4 $6.295M.

1 price change: 14865 Mango Ct 2/2 now $1.295M.

1 new sale: 15261 Captiva Dr 4/4.5 listed at $11.499M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, wishing you only bright skies & easy summer rains,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Beautiful Weather for Memorial Day Weekend 2021

Posted on May 28, 2021 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan here reporting that all is well on the islands for the holiday weekend. Traffic on Periwinkle and the causeway was already picking up yesterday afternoon and has been steady most of today. More summerlike weather is expected for the immediate future, so plenty of weekend warriors may be arriving.

If you follow local news, this week there has been a lot of hype about red tide and blue-green algae. With the rainy season approaching those often are summertime concerns in SW Florida. But, if the water surrounding Sanibel today is any indication, there is none. I took the below photos this earlier this afternoon showing bayside surrounding waters – they are clear and a beautiful bright blue reminiscent of the Caribbean. Should be perfect for boaters and beachgoers here for the holiday holiday! We hope you enjoy your weekend too and remember those who served.

At SanibelSusan Realty

Here in the office teammate Elise has kept things running smoothly while teammate Dave is on vacay and I have struggled with a bad knee. Who knew that just getting up from a chair causes injury? Anyway, I now have mastered using a walker, luckily can still drive, and should get an orthopedic plan of action next week. Teammate Lisa is in the office tomorrow.

Thank goodness we work like a well-oiled machine and much of it is over the internet. I put our last lot listing under contract Sunday, we had two nice closings this week, and both Elise and I have spoken with and visited owners thinking of selling.

Meanwhile, island inventory continues to diminish. Today on Sanibel, there are just 13 condos, 25 homes, and 15 lots for sale. Even fewer listings on Captiva, where seven condos, 11 homes, and just one lot are available.

You will see the week’s report of the action in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service after a couple of news items below. There was not a lot of new listing activity this week.

Most remaining snowbirds are heading north this weekend, while the post-season crowd will be here for the holiday. Fingers crossed they are “nice” and appreciate the islands’ low-key laid-back eco-friendly ambience.

Use of ‘Escalation Clause’ Skyrockets in Hot Seller’s Market

With Florida real estate market hot, the below article posted this week by Joel Maxson, Florida Realtors® Associate General Counsel is especially appropriate. One of the offers that one of our listings recently received had an escalation clause and it was not the successful offer. Sometimes other terms are more important to a seller than the price.

“As escalation clauses become more popular during this hot seller’s market, buyers should consider the pros and cons of using them – as well as the broader legal context of their offer.

“ORLANDO, Fla. – During this white-hot seller’s market, many conversations on Florida Realtors® Legal Hotline involve multiple offer scenarios. Buyers are desperately seeking ways to try and make their offer stand out. One method that has rocketed in popularity is using an escalation clause.

“There are many variations of these clauses, but the one thing they have in common is that a buyer is willing to increase the purchase price above the amount in the initial offer. A simple version of an escalation clause may read something like this: “Buyer agrees to pay $____________ more than the next highest offer, not to exceed a final purchase price of $___________.”

“This is the core concept, at least. Most clauses will also include some combination of the following components, although this is by no means an exhaustive list. The clause can get increasingly more complex the more a buyer adds to the clause.

“The amount of money to add to the next highest offer (the escalation amount)
The maximum purchase price
Seller’s obligation to show the buyer a copy of the next highest offer used to calculate the final purchase price
Whether the financing amount will increase, or whether the buyer will pay cash to cover the escalation amount
How to handle a situation involving two or more competing escalation clauses
Whether the buyer or seller will be obligated to sign or initial further documents if the escalation clause is triggered
Whether the escalation is based on the purchase price or net proceeds to the seller (to account for costs and credits in a competing offer)

“The positive side of escalation clauses is that they may make a buyer’s offer stand out. It also invites a seller to take an easy path to finalize negotiation.

“Most of the confusion we hear about these clauses on Florida Realtors Legal Hotline centers around the fact that the buyer’s offer is just that – an offer. A seller who receives an offer can accept, reject, counter, or even ignore an offer.

“For example, can the seller send a brief message that instructs the buyer to submit a new, “highest and best” offer, with a fixed purchase price by a deadline? Yes – the seller is welcome to reject the buyer’s offer.

“What if the seller removes the escalation clause and counters the buyer’s offer right at buyer’s maximum price cap with no information about any other offers? Can the seller do that? Yes – the seller is welcome to counter buyer’s offer.

“Can the seller go with a different buyer’s offer (even a lower-priced one) and never inform the buyer with the escalation clause? Yes – the seller is welcome to ignore the buyer’s offer.

“As you can see, the crux of most buyer frustrations centers on the concept that the seller isn’t bound to follow the rules in the escalation clause unless the seller accepts the offer.

“Please note that there are additional angles to this issue – this brief article is simply designed to give an overview of the escalation clause itself. For example, although this article mentions a seller’s right to ignore an offer, a listing Realtor must comply with this Standard of Practice from NAR’s Code of Ethics: REALTORS®, in response to inquiries from buyers or cooperating brokers shall, with the sellers’ approval, disclose the existence of offers on the property. Where disclosure is authorized, REALTORS® shall also disclose, if asked, whether offers were obtained by the listing licensee, another licensee in the listing firm, or by a cooperating broker.”

Memorial Day Weekend Happenings

“Ding” Darling’s Summer Fun Virtual Auction is now through Monday, May 31, at https://DingFunAuction.givesmart.com . All proceeds benefit conservation efforts at the National Wildlife Refuge.

Sanibel’s last Farmer Market until fall wraps up Sunday, May 30, on the grounds of City Hall, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The market begins again on the first Sunday in October.

Also Sunday, May 30, American Legion is hosting a Backyard BBQ from noon until 8 p.m., 4249 San-Cap Rd at Mile Marker 3. Featuring burgers, brats & sides, with live music & fun.

Beachgoers, please be on the lookout for turtle and snowy plover nests. As of May 19, four active snowy plover nests have been recorded. If you see a nest that has not yet been roped off, contact shorebirds@sccf.org. Also as of May 19, SCCF already has counted and marked off 60 turtle nests on Sanibel, 25 on Captiva. That’s a lot for this early in the season. Please do not disturb any nests and if you are on the beach at night, only red/amber lights are allowed.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 21-28, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

6 new sales: Captains Walk #B2 1/1 listed at $299,999, Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 listed at $749K, Sunset South #11D 2/2 listed at $749K, Pointe Santo #D24 2/2 listed at $795K, Pelicans Roost #102 2/2 listed at $930K, Sanddollar #A102 3/2 listed at $1.395M.

13 closed sales: Sundial #I105 1/1 $405K, Mariner Pointe #731 2/2 $515K, Sandalfoot #3B3 1/1 $520K (our listing), Lighthouse Point #121 3/2 $591K, Sandalfoot #3C1 2/2 $630K, Loggerhead Cay #572 2/2 $670K, Sanibel Arms West #C4 2/2 $910K, Sunset South #4D 2/2 $997.5K, Tarpon Beach #109 2/2 $1.055M, Pointe Santo #C43 3/2 $1.075M (our listing), Compass Point #151 3/3 $1.495M, Atrium #102 3/2 $1.498M, Cyprina Beach #3 3/3 $1.749M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 939 Beach Rd 3/2.5 now $1.55M.

6 new sales: 2011 Mitzi 2/1 listed at $650K, 1605 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex listed at $699K, 429 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed at $749.5K, 770 Donax St 2/2 listed at $850K, 4516 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2.5 listed at $979.9K, 5765 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 listed at $1.648M.

8 closed sales: 1657 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 $767K, 3570 Bunny Ln 3/3 $869K, 1983 My Tern Ct 3/2.5 $1.02M, 557 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3 $1.124M, 5403 Shearwater Dr 4/3 $1.599M, 2355 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 $1.649M, 1680 Hibiscus Dr 3/3.5 $1.8M, 1044 Whisperwood Way 4/4.5 $1.94M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: with contingencies: 1894 Farm Trl listed at $199K (our listing & our sale), 461 Sawgrass Pl listed at $699K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Captiva Hide-a-Way #D 2/2 $1.075M.

1 price change: Lands End Village #1649 2/2 now $1.395M.

1 new sale: Beach Villas #2514 2/2 listed at $820K.

2 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3217 1/1 $355K, Ventura Captiva #4A 3/3 $1.1M.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

2 closed sales: 1105 Tallow Tree Ct 3/3 $2.4M, 14980 Binder Dr 4/4 $2.475M.

LOTS

No new listings.

price change:

No new or closed sales.

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

Best wishes for a safe Memorial Day Weekend,

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Wrapping up a Sunny Quiet Sanibel Friday

Posted on May 21, 2021 by SanibelSusan

It has been another week of great weather, but rain is needed! Below is some news followed by the weekly action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service (MLS).

At SanibelSusan Realty

Here in the office, we are down to just one listing available and three under contract, with two closings next week. Inventory is sooo low. Realtors everywhere are looking for new listings. That includes us!

What Will Exurb Buyers Do if Called Back to the Office?

Posted May 12, 2021 on FloridaRealtors®: By Kerry Smith – “Pandemic-era buyers moved farther out and to new cities, assuming they’d never have to return to the office. Now, if forced to choose, 25% would pick home over their job.

“SANTA CLARA, Calif. – COVID-19 drove working professionals out of the office and sparked a surge in home buying in the less-expensive outskirts of cities and even in small towns across the U.S. But so far, only 48% of these workers have been told they can continue working remotely. An unknown number may soon be expected to commute to work if a return becomes mandatory, creating a conflict that pits their new house against their job.

“According to a realtor.com study, almost 60% of new homeowners who purchased within the last 12 months work from home – and 62% prefer to be. However, less than half have been told that they can continue to do so. About 25% of those surveyed have no definitive answer on whether they can remain fully remote indefinitely; another 25% already have plans to return.

““Throughout the last year we have seen homebuyers across the country, empowered by the newfound ability to work remotely, moving farther and farther from crowded urban downtowns in search of more space, a higher quality of life and a lower cost of living,” says George Ratiu, Sr. economist for Realtor.com. “Our survey data shows that people are really enjoying their new communities and larger homes, and aren’t willing to give them up anytime soon.”

“If companies start demanding that these workers return to the office, Ratiu says we “could see an influx of new homeowners in the job market. For companies willing to stay more flexible with either hybrid or entirely remote opportunities, there’s a large cohort of young professionals with growing families who … welcome the benefits of a technologically-enhanced employment landscape.”

“Job versus home – When asked what they will do if their employer decides they must return to the jobsite, 48% would try to arrange a flexible schedule that allows for some in-office work and some remote work – but almost 25% said they’d find a new job. Only 30% said they’d willingly return to the office if asked, and only 8% would sell their pandemic-era home to be closer to work.

“Going the distance – Despite the fact that 31% are less willing to commute farther for work, close to 40% would have to travel 30 minutes or more each way to the office if asked to return to the workplace, and 18% of new homeowners would have to commute more than 60-minutes each way – an unappealing prospect for many.

““As offices begin to reopen, those who are currently looking for a new home may have to start factoring commute time into their search. One way to find homes within your desired commute time is to use the Realtor.com commute time filter.,” says Lexie Holbert, home and living expert at Realtor.com.”

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 14-21, 2021

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 $749K.

No price changes.

5 new sales: Blind Pass #E104 2/2 listed at $549.9K, Sanibel Arms West #I2 2/2 listed at $599K, Heron at The Sanctuary #3A 2/2.5 listed at $839K, Sanddollar #C103 3/2 listed at $1.375M, Gulfside Place #320 2/2 listed at $1.389M.

6 closed sales: Sundial #H107 1/1 $450K; Blind Pass #D203 2/2 $459K; Kimball Lodge #302 1/1 $552,750; Sanibel Arms West #J5 2/2 $600K; Blind Pass #G104 3/2 $687.5K, Sundial #Q401 2/2 $908K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 4506 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 $839K, 4516 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2.5 $979.9K, 5765 Baltusrol Ct 4/4.5 $1.648M, 1360 Eagle Run Dr 5/3.5 $2.695M.

3 price changes: 2011 Mitzi Ln 2/1 now $650K, 4619 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/2 now $848K, 1237 Isabel Dr 6/6.5 now $2.995M.

11 new sales: 5161 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 3/2 listed at $574K, 1649 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 half-duplex listed at $599.9K, 4505 Bowen Bayou Rd 3/3 listed at $729K, 555 Piedmont Rd 3/2 listed at $765K, 9408 Moonlight Dr 3/2 listed at $768.5K, 2548 Wulfert Rd 3/4 listed at $943K, 221 Robinwood Cir 3/2 listed at $999K, 5431 Shearwater Dr 3/3 listed at $1.148M, 1187 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 listed at $1.399M, 4701 Rue Belle Mer 4/5 listed at $3.395M, 1306 Seaspray Ln 4/4 listed at $4.245M.

13 closed sales: 1942 Roseate Ln 2/2 $500K; 1695 Serenity Ln 3/2 $619,830; 2441 Shop Rd 4/3.5 $920K; 5424 Shearwater Dr 3/2.5 $999K; 2563 Coconut Dr 2/2 $1.049M; 694 Heather Ln 3/3.5 $1.2534M; 1391 Jamaica Dr 4/3 $1.299M; 2303 Troon Ct 3/4 $1.3M; 5423 Shearwater Dr 3/3 $1.315M; 994 Whelk Dr 3/2 $1.325M; 4664 Rue Belle Mer 5/5 $1.62M; 775 Conch Ct 4/3 $1.75M; 4601 Rue Belle Mer 3/2 $2.9M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 2829 Wulfert Rd $349K, 3938 West Gulf Dr $899K.

1 price change: 255 Hurricane Ln now $399K.

2 new sales: 809 Pyrula Ave listed at $424.9K, 0 Rue Bayou listed at $649,555.

2 closed sales: 5687 Baltusrol Ct $385K, 539 Sea Oats Dr $385K.

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Lands End Village #1649 2/2 $1.349M, Lands End Village #1663 2/2 $1.395M.

No price changes or new sales.

2 closed sales: Tennis Villas # 3233 2/2 $520K, Gulf Beach Villas #2127 2/2 $885K.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11551 Paige Ct 5/5/2 listed at $6.495M.

2 closed sales: 42 Oster Ct 2/2.5 $1M, 11541 Laika Ln 4/4 $2.15M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 16970 Captiva Dr now $4.25M.

No new or closed sales.

Enjoy your weekend!
Until next Friday, 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

Island Real Estate Happenings

Causeway Island Update

Local COVID News

Temporary Closure of Ding Darling Visitor & Education Center

37th Sanibel & Captiva Luminaries Scheduled

Sanibel Household Chemical Waste Collection Event

Hot Housing Market Drives Home Fix-Ups

To Market or Not, Should Not Be the Question

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity August 13-20, 2021

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Island Real Estate

The Sanibel School

Sanibel Causeway Toll Facility Maintenance Work

TRIM Notices Coming Soon

City of Sanibel Budget

Tarpon Bay Brings Back Breakfast Cruise & Touch Tank

Captiva Beach Renourishment Project Update

Sanibel Recreation Center

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 30 – August 6, 2021

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Summer of the Speed Buyer

Elsa Washes Away 45 Sea Turtle Nests on Sanibel

CEPD Provides Updated Start Date for Project

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 9-16, 2021

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July 4th Holiday Weekend on the Islands

Presenting Offers: OK with License Law? Code of Ethics?

SCCF’s June 30, 2021 Turtle Update

Surfside Condo Tragedy Could Influence RE Market

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 25-July 2, 2021

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CROW Wildlife Walks & Daily Presentations Return

Free Summer Tours at The Refuge

Faces of Change

14-Day Rental Rule

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation

SCCF Update – Periwinkle Wetlands Restoration Project Begins Next Week

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 28 – June 4, 2021

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At SanibelSusan Realty

Use of ‘Escalation Clause’ Skyrockets in Hot Seller’s Market

Memorial Day Weekend Happenings

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 21-28, 2021

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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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37^th Sanibel & Captiva Luminaries Scheduled

July 4^th Holiday Weekend on the Islands