Sanibel Summer & Ospreys, oh my…

Posted on July 15, 2016 by SanibelSusan

It is Susan reporting that it has been another “quiet” week on the islands. No Association of Realtors® caravan meeting yesterday, but the activity in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service over the last seven days follows a few news items below.

First a few photos from our friend, Scott, who shares his pictures with us – for the blog. These ospreys love his dock! Thank you, Scott!

Sea Turtle Nests Break Record on East Sanibel

kemp turtle Following up on last week’s post about sea turtles, SCCF’s (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation) blog on Wed, July 13, posted the following:

“Today SCCF’s Sea Turtle Program confirmed that Sanibel’s East End has broken the record for nest numbers since we began recording. We officially have 122 loggerhead nests on the East End.

“2015 was the previous record holder with 120 nests. Prior to that, the average for nests on the East end was 38 per year! We are having an excellent season!

“Here’s how you can ensure all those nests, hatchlings, and momma’s stay safe:

Respect all staked nests.
Turn off all lights – Nesting females and hatchlings primarily emerge after dark so remember to turn off all lights. Sea turtles use the brightest horizon to navigate towards the water. Any artificial lighting will cause confusion and steer turtles in the wrong direction. This includes beachfront lighting, flash lights, flash photography, and even iPhones.
Remove all beach furniture and toys – Clear everything off the beach from 9 p.m. – 7 a.m. Obstacles on the beach can cause nesting females and hatchlings to become entangled.
Fill in all holes on the beach – if you dug a hole on the beach please fill it in. Nesting females and hatchlings can fall into holes, causing them to be vulnerable to predators.
Never approach a nesting sea turtle – if approached the sea turtle will likely abandon her nesting attempt

sea-turtle-eggs “Loggerhead Sea Turtle Facts

Loggerheads are one of seven species of sea turtles in the world
Nesting/hatching season occurs from April 15 through October 31
Adult loggerheads can grow to more than 3-feet long and weight 200 to 350 lbs
A female loggerhead may nest around 3-6 times per season
Each nest contains 100 or more leathery ping-pong ball sized eggs
Incubation takes about 55 to 65 days depending on sand temperature
It may take 30 years or more for loggerhead hatchlings to reach maturity.”

2016 Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate

The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) just issued the results of the annual survey by their Research Division which measures the share of U.S. residential real estate sales to international clients. The report divides those international or foreign clients into two types:

Non-resident foreigners who are non-U.S. citizens with permanent residences outside the U.S. They typically purchase for investment, vacations, or other visits of less than six months.
Resident foreigners who also are non-U.S. citizens, but are recent immigrants (or in the country for less than two years) or temporary visa-holders residing for more than six months for professional, educational, or other reasons.

The report contains some interesting information. Here are a few excerpts:

“Amid slower economic growth in many countries and the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, fewer non-resident foreigners purchased U.S. residential properties while resident foreigners stepped up their purchases. Meanwhile more U.S. domestic clients searched for properties abroad…
Foreign buyers purchase $102.6 billion of residential property from April 2015 – March 2016, a decrease from $103.9 billion in the previous 12-month period…
Non-resident foreigners accounted for 41% of foreign buyers while resident foreigners made up 59%. In past years, the number of foreign buyers was split almost evenly between resident and non-resident foreign buyers…
Foreign buyers typically purchase more expensive properties…
45% of foreign buyers who purchased residential property came from China ($27B), Canada ($8.9B), India ($6.1B), the United Kingdom ($5.5B), and Mexico ($4.8B)…
Non-resident foreign buyers made up the bulk of buyers from Canada and the United Kingdom while resident foreign buyers came from China, India, and Mexico…
Although foreigners purchased property nationwide, five states accounted for 51% of total residential property purchases: Florida (22%), California (15%), Texas (10%), Arizona (4%), and New York (4%)…
72% of non-resident foreigner buyers purchased the property as a vacation and/or residential rental property for investment while 21% of resident foreign buyers purchased the property for vacation and/or rental use…
50% of reported transactions were all cash…
Previous client contacts and referrals accounted for 47%….”
Florida and Arizona attracted buyers from Latin America, Europe, and Canada who tend to purchase properties in warm climates for vacation purposes…
The outlook for international real estate activity in the U.S. remains positive. The decline in the value of the British Pound following Brexit is likely to mean fewer buyers from the United Kingdom. However, businesses and foreign real estate investors may choose to stay away from the United Kingdom, and the United States could become an attractive alternative.”

Corps to Cut Back Lake O Releases

As reported on line yesterday (July 14) by the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF):

“Some good news — the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has granted the request made during this week’s Periodic Scientists Call to reduce flows from Lake Okeechobee to 2,800 cfs measured at the Franklin Lock from last week’s average 4,158 cfs. Flows to the St. Lucie will be reduced to 650 cfs. There should be some improvement in water clarity because of the reduction — but that would also require that rainfall not be heavy enough to increase the amount of runoff from the Caloosahatchee’s own watershed.

“SCCF participates in a weekly conference call with the Army Corps and South Florida Water Management District as part of a local stakeholders group, which also includes J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge, the City of Sanibel, Lee County, the Town of Fort Myers Beach and the City of Cape Coral. As part of this process, the partners prepare a weekly Caloosahatchee Conditions Report. During this week’s call, stakeholders requested a slowdown on the lake releases.

You can find the reports on our website.”

In other SCCF news, their Natural Resource Policy Director Rae Ann Wessel spoke at a congressional hearing yesterday in DC on the water quality crisis in Southwest Florida and St. Lucie, Martin and Palm Beach counties on Florida’s east coast. In part, she said:

“We need to recognize this is a national issue requiring science that informs and directs public policies to protect the natural resources in our backyard,” Wessel testified. “This is an economic crisis as well as an environmental one, with 47,000 jobs in our $3 billion tourism industry at stake. We must act now to stop the harmful algal blooms that extend over 35 miles of the Caloosahatchee as we speak. We ask four things of Congress today. Bring greater science to bear in seeking solutions. Pass WRRDA (The Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2016). Continue the Tamiami Trail bridging. Accelerate the implementation of the CERP (Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan) project to store water in the Everglades Agricultural Area (EAA) south of Lake Okeechobee. These four actions will provide the greatest impacts for resolving the water quality crisis on Florida’s two coasts.”

The Interagency Working Group hearing was the start of “Lagoon-Gulf Action Day” on Capitol Hill. Participating agencies included:

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)

United States Geological Survey (USGS)

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 8-15, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings.

3 price changes: Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 now $515K, Sandpiper Beach #203 2/2 now $699K, Tanglewood #1A 3/2 now $1.1479M.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 $1,299,999.

5 price changes: 1746 Windward Way 3/2 now $540K, 810 Elinor Way 3/2 now $649K, 519 Kinzie Island Ct 3/2.5 now $1.395M, 513 Lighthouse Way 3/3 now $1.929M, 1306 Seaspray Ln 3/4 now $3.895M.

3 new sales: 726 Cardium St 3/3 listed at $775K, 760 Windlass Way 3/3 now $979K, 2251 Starfish Ln 4/3.5 listed at $1.295M.

2 closed sales: 2407 Shop Rd 3/1 $330K, 1317 Eagle Run Dr 4/3.5 $1.075M.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 1242 Anhinga Ln listed at $525K.

1 closed sale: 2988+2993 Wulfert Rd $799K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #4214 1/2 $317.5K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

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

Scott shared this sunset photo too! It’s a beauty!

Sunset 07-09-16

Thanks again, Scott ! Here’s hoping everyone’s weekend sunsets are beautiful too!

TGIF! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Another Week of Fabulous Island Weather

Posted on June 24, 2016 by SanibelSusan

All is well again this week at SanibelSusan Realty. Another seven days of beautiful sunny warm weather have kept most visitors busy with outdoor activities. The following photos, I snapped with my cell phone this morning at Beach Access #6 on Sanibel’s West Gulf Drive.

Access 6 #1 Access 6 #2

Below are a few news items, followed by the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

Realtors June Membership Meeting

Yesterday was the June monthly breakfast membership meeting at the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®, a good opportunity for me to announce our new listing at Casa Ybel Resort. The condo was photographed professionally this week so it now is officially on the market.

The following slide show includes the unit and several resort amenities. Click the “Cottage Colony West #136” tab above for more details and a streaming video. This beach-front condo grossed over $92K last year in the easy on-site rental program.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

The educational part of yesterday’s Realtor® meeting was a presentation by Sanibel City Manager, Judie Zimomra, and Lt. Bill Dalton of the Sanibel Police Department. Covering “hurricane season preparedness”, they offered some good and timely advice. Here are some of my take-aways:

Lt. Dalton described a study which determined the five areas of the nation that are the hardest to leave during a mandatory evacuation. Here are the worst five – a good example of when it’s not good to be in 1^st position – but our area is, so this is a good reminder to leave early when a storm is heading this way.

Southwest Florida – because of few east/west roadways & limited north/south evacuation routes.
Tampa Bay area – high population & also few ways of egress
Maryland/Northern Virginia/DC area – population
New York/New Jersey – population
Southeast Florida – population.

Another interesting tidbit is that there is a Lee County ordinance that says all county bridges must be closed when wind speed reaches 40 mph. That info brought a question from the floor which was “How do we get over the Caloosahatchee River bridges after leaving the islands.” Answer: “Leave early – before they are closed.” Yikes! That may be a good reason to leave when evacuation is recommended, but before it is mandatory.

Hurricane Charley in 2004 brought high wind to Southwest Florida. (Lt. Dalton reported that the City wind gauge broke when it recorded 143 mph, so the exact top wind speed is unknown.) Charley was a relatively small fast- moving storm. When compared to other larger and slower-moving past storms, if Charley had stayed longer, the storm surge here could have been as much as 17-23 feet, and damage could have covered a much broader area. Good reason to check your insurance coverage now! Hurricane season has begun!

If you are interested in receiving emergency Sanibel notifications, go to the City’s website at www.MySanibel.com and click on the link in the right hand column called “Code Red”. Code Red, Rapid Emergency Notification System, is an emergency telephone network which will text, call, or email you with information whenever the City turns the system on to report an emergency situation. Examples could include: evacuation notices, bio-terrorism alerts, boil water notices, and missing child reports.

If you are here in the summer or fall, now also is a good time to get your island reentry passes. These have not been needed since after Hurricane Charley, but you will need an up-to-date pass to get back on the island following an evacuation. There are separate passes for residential and commercial and these hang from your rear view mirror (or remain safely in your glove box until needed – hopefully never). Info about these passes also on www.MySanibel.com and at the Sanibel Police Department.

1^st Annual National Shell Day a Success

The 1^st Annual National Shell Day, a marketing effort in partnership with the Lee County Visitors and Convention Bureau and promoters of tourism at the Beaches of Fort Myers & Sanibel, was the talk of the islands on Monday.

“Good Morning American” weather gal, Ginger Zee, reported live over a 2-hour span from the beach at Sundial Resort where she not only reported the country’s weather, but also introduced their national audience to the “Sanibel stoop”, to Lola (a disabled American kestrel who lives at CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife, and to mollusks from the Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum.

Garnering the most attention was the Shell Love Bug, which is a used Volkswagen Beetle convertible which was transformed into a sailor’s valentine on wheels thanks to Pam Rambo of ILoveShelling.com and a group of volunteers. (The photos below are from Pam’s web site.)

2016 Shell-Love-Bug-seashells-car-scallop

2016 Shell-Love-Bug-junonia-seashell-heart-art-1

The Shell Love Bug is traveling around the county this week to promotional events. Here are some fun facts about its creation:

$7,000 cost of the 2005 Beetle
20,000+ shells glued onto car
65+ varieties of local shells
60+ volunteers who transformed the car
60+ tubes of “Marine Goop” adhesive for attaching the shells!

Americans Are Feeling Wealthier, More Upbeat

“Realtor®Mag” on line on Monday has the following article sourced to “Daily Real Estate News” and “Fannie Mae”:

“Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index zoomed to an all-time high in May as consumers get more upbeat about their paychecks and home selling. In May, the index reached a reading of 85.3, which follows an 18-month low reached in March.

“Three of six components the index measures registered increases last month, led by a 7 percentage point increase in the number of consumers reporting significantly higher income than a year ago. Also, the number of consumers who expect home prices to increase over the next 12 months rose 5 percentage points. Consumers were also upbeat that mortgage rates would decrease over the next year as well.

“That said, the index indicator on whether it’s a “good time to buy” dropped 1 percentage point to an all-time survey low in May.

““Continued home price appreciation has been squeezing housing affordability, driving a two-year downward trend in the share of consumers who think it’s a good time to buy a home,” says Doug Duncan, senior vice president and chief economist at Fannie Mae. “The current low mortgage rate environment has helped ease this pressure, and fewer than half of consumers expect rates to go up in the next year. While the May increase in income growth perceptions could provide further support to prospective home buyers as the spring/summer home-buying season gains momentum, the effect may be muted by May’s discouraging jobs report.”

“Here’s a closer look at additional findings from Fannie Mae’s latest index reading:

29% of Americans say now is a good time to buy a home, a drop of 1 percentage point from March and an all-time survey low for the second consecutive month.
52% of consumers believe now is a good time to sell a home – an all-time survey high.
42% of Americans believe that home prices will go up.
72% of Americans say they are not concerned with losing their job, a drop of 2 percentage points from March.
18% of Americans say their household income is significantly higher than it was a year ago, up 7 percentage points from March and at an all-time survey high.”

Buyers Gaining Upper Hand in Luxury Market

Posted last week in “Daily Real Estate News, sourced to “The Wall Street Journal”, June 15, 2016:

“The number of luxury homes for sale is growing, and that is unlocking some deals for potential buyers, The Wall Street Journal reports. Indeed, inventory of homes priced between $500,000 to $750,000 increased nearly 16% in March compared to a year ago, according to data from NAR. What’s more, inventory for real estate priced more than $1 million increased 12.6% year-over-year.

“As more expensive homes linger on the market, buyers are finding more bargaining power.

“For sellers, this may be a tough realization that the power is shifting. Shannon Baird, a broker with Living Room Realty in Portland, Ore., says that a major challenge is changing the mindset of home sellers who are hearing news of quick sales and bidding wars. But that’s not the case in the upper price bracket in many markets.

“Stock market volatility has made some wealthy buyers more cautious to jump into a big home purchase at the moment. Also, fewer foreign buyers are on the market as the dollar strengthens, says Lawrence Yun, NAR’s chief economist. “The stock market has come back up, but we don’t know yet if that means the upper-end home buying market will begin to return,” Yun says.”

Do You Vote in Lee County?

It “yes”, “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society’s June 23, 2016 newsletter asks that you “Keep Conserving Lee” and posted the following notice:

“Vote YES for Conservation 20/20. Support the continued use of tax dollars to conserve important wildlife habitat and outdoor recreational opportunities in Lee County by voting YES for Conservation 20/20 in the November 8, 2016, election. Thanks to 20/20, we were able to fulfill our goal to purchase and protect property at Woodring Point in 2013. We hope to work with the county again in the future on such preservation partnerships.”

Here for July 4^th?

A few more July 4^th events have been announced. Click on the “Upcoming Island Events” tab above for more details.

Here are some photos of where the fireworks could be viewed, including the end of Bailey Road (1st group of photos) and the end of Dixie Beach Boulevard (2nd group)– or anywhere on the bay side of the island.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 17-24, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Loggerhead Cay #462 2/2 $539K, Cottage Colony West #136 1/1 $649K (our listing).

3 price changes: Seashells #38 2/2 now $372K, Mariner Pointe #943 2/2.5 now $619K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3-3 2/2.5 now $650K.

1 new sale: Compass Point #151 3/3 listed at $1.195M.

2 closed sales: Bayview Village #2A 3/3 $675K, Island Beach Club #330C 2/2 $760K.

HOMES

2 new listings: 3792 Coquina Dr 3/3 $1.049M, 6111 SanibelCaptiva Rd 5/4/3 $27M.

2 price changes: 1429 Jamaica Dr 3/3 now $769K, 243 Southwinds Dr 4/2.5 now $1.075M.

3 new sales: 676 Emeril Ct 3/2 listed at $729.9K, 2311 Starfish Ln 4/3 listed at $1.249M, 1520 Angel Dr 4/3/2 listed at $1.279M.

1 closed sale: 1658 Sabal Palm Dr $852.5K.

LOTS

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 2988+2993 Wulfert Rd listed at $899K.

1 closed sale: 1310 Par View Dr $331.25K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Tennis Villas #3238 2/2 $435K.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

HOMES & LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, when SanibelSusan Realty Associates will be all decked out for the holiday weekend!

(more pix next week)

Susan Andrews

aka SanibelSusan

Another Happy June on Sanibel/Captiva

Posted on June 3, 2016 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan reporting that in typical fashion, the islands’ 23^rd Annual Sam Bailey Islander Night at Hammond Stadium Wednesday night again was rained out. After several weeks of beautiful weather, it should have been no surprise when the first big downpour of the rainy season began just as the parade was scheduled to start. It has happened many times before and June 1 is the beginning of hurricane season.

Continuing the summer trend, more showers are expected later today and through the weekend with all of us watching the tropical storm expected to develop in the gulf early next week. That certainly will not make next week’s vacationers happy, but may result in good shelling and more folks wanting to view property.

At SanibelSusan Realty

Activity-wise in the office, it has been quiet. Even the holiday weekend was very quiet, probably weather-related, as all days were fabulous for the beach. A few listings shown and some phone/email inquiries, but not many – certainly nothing like when it’s snowing somewhere!

Yesterday, The SanibelSusan Team was happy to receive a new listing at Beachcomber (gulf-front ~2600 sq. ft.) which will be posted in the islands’ Multiple Listing Service as soon as we receive a couple of clarifications from the sellers.

View from our new listing at Beachcomber #A102

May is always an in-between month here, post “high” season, but pre “summer” season. A quick snapshot of the islands’ May real estate sales show that it was not a month with much real estate action.

May Sanibel Sales

In May, were just five new Sanibel home sales with no contingencies (three inland priced under $530K, one on a deep-water canal (asking price $1.545M) and one bay-front in Ferry Landing (asking price $1.995M)).

Another 13 Sanibel homes went under contract with contingencies (four inland priced under $535K, five near the beach (priced from $569K to $600K), one in Beachview (asking $1.195M), one in Gulf Pines (asking $1.479M), one deep-water canal (asking $1.548M), and a unique one across the street from the beach (asking $1.595M)).

In May, Sanibel condos did not have as much action as homes. Just two Sanibel condos went under contract with no contingencies: a 1-bedroom at Sundial (asking $299K) and a recently-remodeled Lighthouse Point bay-front unit (asking $830K).

Another four condos went under contract with contingencies: a Seashells unit (asking $379K), a 1^st floor Sanibel Moorings 2 bedrm with peek of gulf (asking $449K), a 3-bedrm Heron-model at The Sanctuary (asking $665K), and a beach-front 2-bedroom at Sanddollar (asking $870K).

During the same time, in May, just two Sanibel lots went under contract: one near beach (asking $244.9K) and one on the bayou (asking $1.295M). Both contracts have contingencies.

May Captiva Sales

In May on Captiva, four homes went under contract with contingencies (two at Sunset Captiva asking $885K and $995K, one gulf-front asking $3.998M, and one on Roosevelt Channel asking $4.8M).

Also in May, three Captiva condos in South Seas Plantation went under contract, all with contingencies. Asking prices ranging from a 1-bedroom Bayside Villas for $289K to a 2-bedroom Tennis Villas for $405K, to a Bayside Villas 3 bedroom for $629.9K

A Captiva gulf-front lot went under contract (with contingencies) in May too, asking price $4.999M.

Below are a few other news items followed by the action posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service since last Friday.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation

Wednesday, for the fifth year, SanibelSusan taught the Resort & Second-Home module to those Realtors® training to receive their Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist designation. This designation is a 12-part educational series, offered each summer by the local Association of Realtors. The coursework needs to be completed over a 2-year period and provides instruction to those looking to specialize in working the Sanibel/Captiva market.

2016 Resort Class I authored the module that I teach, update it each year, and always enjoy the teaching experience – getting as much in return as I give. It was especially fun this year since my students ranged from some new Realtors® to those with many years of real estate experience, but in other parts of the country.

Here are my students adorned in the funny resort-wear they earned for answering questions correctly in my pop quiz.

1^st National Seashell Day

As reported in Monday’s “Santiva-Chronicle”:

2016 National Seashell Day “As the Lee County Visitor and Convention Bureau said, it’s official. June 20 has been proclaimed National Seashell Day. The news is also out that the first National Seashell Day will be on Good Morning America.

“The VCB (Visitors Convention Bureau) already has a National Seashell Day page on its website. Visitors to the page can enter the “Shell Yeah! Sweepstakes,” for which the grand prize is three nights for four at Sanibel Inn, a Captiva Cruises shelling cruise to Cayo Costa and the chance to go shelling with Pam Rambo. The grand prize is enough to make any Sanibel sheller nod with approval.

“Rambo had the news about Good Morning America on her amazing blog iloveshelling.com. The blog says Ginger Zee, Good Morning America and ABC’s chief meteorologist, will be here on June 20. We don’t know the exact details yet other than it will be in the morning….

“The VCB’s idea for National Seashell Day will get the word out to people of all places about the wonders of shells on our beaches, which is good for anything having to do with shells. The VCB also hopes it will be a driver for tourism….”

Fishing Pier Rehab Project

sanibel fishing pier.jpg On Tuesday next week (June 6), the Sanibel Fishing Pier at Lighthouse Beach Park will be closed temporarily due to a necessary rehabilitation project. Construction is expected to continue through August 2016.

Top 10 Outdoor Features, Where Most Are, & What They’ll Pay

realtor.com Posted in Tuesday’s “DAILY REAL ESTATE NEWS”, you will see Naples, FL on the list below. Buyers all over Southwest Florida like outdoor kitchens!

“As temperatures heat up, more home owners and buyers are taking a closer look at their home’s outdoor features. Realtor.com®’s research team took a look at 10 popular outdoor home features to find the premium that owners will pay. They also identified the regions of the country that are most likely to feature these popular outdoor amenities.

Amenity Premium Where You’ll Most Likely Find Them

Tree houses 5.2% Asheville, N.C.

Gazebo 7.6% McAllen, Texas

Putting green 11.4% Phoenix

Hot tub 11.8% Bend, Ore.

Tiki bar 13.8% Key West, Fla.

Tennis court 14.6% Los Angeles

Outdoor fireplace 21.5% Dallas, Texas

Outdoor kitchen 26.2% Naples, Fla.

Private dock 44.7% Traverse City, Mich.

Infinity pool 56% Kahului, Hawaii”

Red-Hot South Florida Home Prices Are Cooling Off

Much like island Realtors® often look to activity in larger complexes and communities here as bellwethers of the local market, we also look to bigger East Coast communities to foretell what may be in the future. The below article is from the May 31 “Miami Herald”.

“So far in 2016, South Florida home prices are growing at the slowest pace since the real-estate market began to recover four years ago.

“Home prices in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties rose 6.2% between March 2015 and March 2016, according to the closely watched S&P/Case Shiller Home Price Indices. They grew 8.7% between March 2014 and March 2015, and at a double-digit clip for much of 2013 and 2014, fueled mainly by red-hot demand from foreign investors. But a strong dollar and troubled economies abroad have stymied the flow of cash into local real estate.

“Residential home sales fell in Miami-Dade in April, according to Realtors’ data. Weak demand could help make homes more affordable for locals — if wage growth keeps picking up and developers start building more units for the lower tiers of the market.

“The nation’s hottest housing markets are in Portland (12.3%), Seattle (10.8%), Denver (10%), San Francisco (8.5%) and Dallas (8.5%). Home prices in the Tampa area (7.6%) also grew faster than they did in Miami in March.”

Sanibel Prescribed Burns Begin Today

As described in an earlier update, Sanibel will have prescribed burns in six different areas this summer, so if you are on the island today do not be surprised if you smell smoke.

SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the City of Sanibel are scheduled to perform a prescribed burn of about 19 acres of the Sanibel Gardens Preserve today. (That’s just west of Tarpon Bay Rd. on Island Inn Rd.)

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 27-June 3, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Colonnades #8 1/1 $229K, Sandalfoot #5A1 2/2 $799K.

1 price change: Tanglewood #1A 3/2 now $1,163,999.

1 new sale: Blind Pass #A102 2/2 listed at $399K.

3 closed sales: Sanibel Arms #E2 1/1 $347.5K, Loggerhead Cay #474 2/2 $489.9K, Donax Village #14 2/2 $505K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 732 Windlass Way 4/3.5 $1.395M.

5 price changes: 1478 Albatross Rd 3/2 now $679K, 242 Christofer Ct 3/2 now $729K, 232 Robinwood Cir 4/3 now $1.195M, 932 Whelk Dr 3/3 now $1.449M, 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $1.75M.

3 new sales: 376 Lake Murex Blvd 3/2 listed at $598K, 1245 Isabel Rd 3/3.5 listed at $1.548M, 4257 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed at $4.495M

9 closed sales: 575 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $410K, 2114 Egret Cir 3/2 $475K, 1322 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $500K, 1380 Jamaica Dr 2/2 $570K, 5303 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $622K, 5267 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $750K, 595 Birdsong Pl 4/2 $835K, 2388 Wulfert Rd 3/4 $1M, 283 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2 $1.675M.

LOTS

3 new listings: 9426 Sage Ct $287K, 223 Robinwood Cir $299K, 2288 Starfish Ln $499K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 3013 Poinciana Cir listed at $244.9K.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

2 new sales: Tennis Villas #3231 2/2 listed at $405K, Bayside Villas #5302 3/3 listed at $629.9K.

No closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

3 closed sales: 19 Urchin Ct 2/2.5 $855K, 15 Seascape Ct 3/2.5 $985K, 16500 Captiva Dr 5/5 $4.225M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

‘til next Friday, here’s hoping the raindrops stay away & the sunsets continue like the one below!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Savoring Another Sunny Sanibel Day

Posted on March 11, 2016 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan here reporting more beautiful weather on sunny Sanibel Island. The beaches, bike paths, roadways, shops and restaurants continue to be filled with happy visitors and vacationers. Families on spring break are on the island this week, with more to arrive over the weekend as other states begin their school vacations. There are a few weary business folks looking forward to Easter being early this year, but at SanibelSusan Realty, we have our second wind and look forward to more “season” action.

The beach looks great and many were out enjoying it today. On my way back to the office this afternoon I stopped to take these photos at the Fulgur Street beach access. It was a breezy 81 degrees at 1 p.m.

Fulgur 1 Fulgur 2 Fulgur 3 Fulgur 4 Fulgur 5 Fulgur 6 Fulgur 7 Fulgur 8

Where Is the Great White Pelican Now?

As follow-up to last week’s blog, this week it was reported that The Great White Pelican spotted at “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge from Feb 28 to Mar 1 has not been seen since. It may still be there, or moved on.

Congratulations to the birders and photographers that did capture sight of what they say is the “rarest” bird ever spotted at the refuge. It was ~4000 miles away from its native range.

Sanibel – The Smartest City in Florida

I almost hesitate to write that the island made it to the “top” of another list, but why not. Sanibel Land Development Code only allows so much building and the infra-structure can only support so many vehicles, so why not toot Sanibel’s horn again?

Sanibel not only tops international and national lists for best family vacations, shelling, beaches, biking, healthy living, and schools, but now it also is Florida’s smartest city – or so says an article posted on Zippia which is a career oriented web site (https://www.zippia.com/advice/smartest-cities-in-florida/). According to their recent article:

“These Are The 10 Smartest Cities In Florida…

Sanibel
Neptune Beach
Gulf Breeze
Key Biscayne
Palm Beach
Longboat Key
Islamorada
Cocoa Beach
Parkland
Maitland”

Robots Can’t Replace REALTORS®

Good article posted on line at Realtor®Mag on Tuesday – sums my thoughts about the new wave in this real estate business.

“New technological advancements will never supply the human factor consumers need in the transaction.

“Every day, there’s a new threat to the way real estate professionals do business. There’s always a startup looking to rope in a chunk of the home-buying market by promising to undercut standard agent commission rates or even offering an online transaction platform that bypasses the need for an agent altogether….

“And there’s the advent of virtual reality in the real estate space, which has designs on offering consumers a fuller home-shopping experience with a virtual guide online.

“We’re only at the beginning of this transformative age where new technology and business models seek to reform the traditional real estate industry, hoping to gain the first mover advantage that comes with being the latest innovative brand. The rise of Redfin and even newer startups boasting other revolutionary models is an indication that the ranks of disruptors aiming to be game changers in the real estate space is only increasing.

“Despite their strong efforts, a total reboot of how real estate is done won’t happen quickly, and today’s top real estate companies won’t lose their command of market share anytime soon. But these newer “Walmart brokerages” — which grab attention with low prices and buyer kickbacks and operate with the advantage of a monstrous scale of resources — are putting change in the air and luring market share. How long can individual agents and brokers compete? Will they eventually have to throw in the towel? … New technology will only be able to make limited inroads into gaining consumer trust in managing the most important transaction of their lives.

“That’s where REALTORS® have won the game for years.

“Real estate continues to be — and will always be — a relationship-centric business. So practitioners must never underestimate the importance of the human factor in the transaction, and that’s where we need to master our skills the most. That cannot be replaced by algorithms and technology platforms, and drastic discounts on commissions aren’t enough to maintain a high quality of service. The professionals who will adapt most successfully to the changing landscape will be the ones who fulfill their role as a trusted guide and fierce guardian of their clients’ interests, not simply as a salesperson who just happens to be administering a transaction. These are some of the most crucial skills we need to master right now:

“High ethical standards: The Code of Ethics is the most powerful tool we have to differentiate ourselves from the competition today. Purchasing real estate will continue to be the most important transaction in the lives of consumers, so convincing to them to work with you requires demonstrating a strong sense of integrity and loyalty. You must fulfill a crucial role acting as both an honest professional to the public as well as a trusted guardian of your clients’ core interests. Now is an important time to live by the Code more than ever.

“Beyond fact and figures: Consumers are better informed about the real estate process than ever before because of the availability of information online. So while it’s even more necessary for you to know market statistics like the back of your hand in order to compete, you also have to focus on the skills that a computer can’t perform for a consumer: negotiating, understanding the nuances of sensitive situations, and conflict resolution. We have to be better at the relationship-building part to show our clients that a positive transaction requires some with social intuition, which cannot be replaces by technology.

“Understanding the technology that threatens us: Technology is changing the way everyone lives, and we can’t continue operating our businesses like it’s not. We must understand that the magnitude of change that we have seen in the industry is only beginning. So we need to be better prepared for it by continually updating our knowledge of new technologies and concepts, and finding the piece of the puzzle these advancements can’t perform better than a human. By understanding the methods and incentives which are driving these new challenges, we can adapt our business models to address new demands and survive in the industry of tomorrow.

“None of this is to say that a portion of us won’t lose to new technology. Part-time agents who don’t commit themselves to education and keeping their business up-to-date will likely fall to the wayside and be unable to sustain a business. Those who lack a strong work ethic or fail to focus on self-improvement will face increasing difficulties in earning a living as the traditional industry model faces an increasing barrage of threats.

Those of you who manage to survive and thrive in the real estate industry of the future will be the ones who have earned it.”

Sea School’s Octifest Celebrates 10 Years of Ocean Education

The “Santiva Chronicle” recently posted the below article about Sanibel Sea School. That was a fast 10 years!

“Octifest on the Beach, Sanibel Sea School’s annual ocean celebration and fundraiser, will once again be held bayside on Causeway Island A on Saturday, March 19.

“This year’s celebration marks 10 years of ocean education and outreach on Sanibel by the nonprofit marine conservation foundation.

““It’s really incredible to look back at the past decade and consider how much our organization has grown,” says Dr. Bruce Neill, who opened Sanibel Sea School in 2006 with his wife, Evelyn Monroe Neill.

“What started as a tiny school offering ocean-themed day classes for kids now also offers summer camps, boat trips, adult programs, and more – and all outings are field-based, so students build meaningful connections with the marine environment while getting their feet wet, and leave feeling inspired to be better stewards of our seas.

“Sanibel Sea School has also forged strong partnerships with local organizations including the Heights Foundation, Pine Manor Improvement Association, and Gladiolus Center for Learning and Development, bringing hundreds of at-risk kids to experience the wonders of the ocean and its inhabitants each year.

““We call them our landlocked kids,” says Neill, “they live just a few miles from the coast, but some have never set foot on the beach. Showing these kids a seahorse or a manatee for the first time is pure magic – it opens their minds to a whole new world.”

“It is thanks to support from the local community that Sanibel Sea School is able to provide these outreach programs, which are fully funded by donors. Octifest is the largest source of funds for the organization each year.

““We hope you will come out to enjoy the sunset, eat a delicious meal, and help us continue to do great things for our oceans and our kids,” Neill says.

“Sanibel Sea School is a marine conservation nonprofit whose mission is to improve the ocean’s future, one person at a time. To learn more about Octifest or to purchase tickets, visit octifest.org or call 239-472-8585.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 4-11, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Sundial West #G404 2/2 $559K, Sundial West $A205 2/2 $829K, Tanglewood #1A 3/2 $1.299M.

8 price changes: Sanibel Arms #F2 1/1 now $559K, Sanibel Siesta #402 2/2 now $559K, Coquina Beach #2C 2/2 now $659.9K, Heron at The Sanctuary II #2B 3/3.5 now $665K, Sanddollar #A104 2/2 now $779K, Pointe Santo #C41 2/2 now $815K, Pointe Santo #B25 2/2 now $819K, Sanibel Seaview #A1 3/3 now $1.199M.

3 new sales: Sanibel Arms West #J4 2/2 listed at $429K, Sunset South #4C 2/2 listed at $784K, West Shore #3 3/3 listed at $1.699M.

3 closed sales: Sandpiper Beach 3101 2/2 $765K (our listing), Heron at The Sanctuary II #3B 3/2.5 $825K, Island Beach Club #350D 2/2 $1.025M.

HOMES

10 new listings: 1631 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex $479K, 693 Rabbit Rd 3/2 $589.9K, 5306 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $635K, 1858 Farm Trail 3/2.5 $649K, 1478 Albatross Rd 3/2 $689K, 5279 Umbrella Pool Rd 3/2 $695K, 526 N Yachtsman Dr 2/2 $1.079M, 169 Southwinds Dr 3/2 $1.249M, 2311 Starfish Ln 4/3 $1.395M, 6192 Henderson Rd 4/4 $2.05M.

13 price changes: 848 Rabbit Rd 3/2 now $379.9K; 9292 Belding Dr 3/2.5 now $464K; 1322 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 now $539K; 4452 Gulf Pines Dr 3/2 now $639,999; 887 Casa Ybel Rd 5/3 duplex now $675K; 5303 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 now $699K; 1258 Par View Dr 3/2 now $749K; 1429 Jamaica Dr 3/3 now $799K; 1121 Skiff Pl 3/3 now $995K; 1740 Dixie Beach Blvd 3/3.5 now $1.16M; 830 Limpet Dr 4/4.5 now $1.545M; 513 Lighthouse Way 3/3 now $2.297M; 5125 Joewood Dr 3/4 now $2.95M.

7 new sales: 3870 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed at $585K, 1216 Par View Dr 3/2 listed at $779K, 5267 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 listed at $794K, 249 Daniel Dr 2/2.5 listed at $814.9K, 1270 Bay Dr 3/2 listed at $1.35M, 6011 Clam Bayou Ln 3/3 listed at $1.395M, 1688 Hibiscus Dr 3/4 listed at $1.849M.

7 closed sales: 9455 Calla Ct 3/3 $750K, 1525 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $755K, 979 Oyster Ct 2/2 $800K, 437 Lake Murex Cir 4/3 $852.5K, 3724 Agate Ct 3/3 $922K, 1555 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2.5 $862.5K, 1503 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/4.5 $3.4M.

LOTS

2 new listings: 5847 Pine Tree Dr $379K, 6159 Starling Way $619K.

1 price change: 2626 Coconut Dr now $297K.

2 new sales: 255 Hurricane Ln listed at $339K, 3723 West Gulf Dr listed at $2.775M.

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Bayside Villas #4102 1/2 $305K.

1 price change: Gulf Beach Villas #2127 2/2 now $720K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11535 Wightman Ln 3/3 listed at $1.175M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Here’s to another weekend of great beach weather!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Just Another Happy Friday on Sanibel Island

Posted on February 19, 2016 by SanibelSusan

It’s another Friday and time for another report from SanibelSusan. Island visitors this week should be happy. The weather has been terrific – temperatures in the low 70’s with bright blue skies and sun shiny days. The outlook for the beaches and waterways has improved too.

white-pelicans from trip advisor

Several of our listings again had showings this week. We had another nice closing – lot in The Dunes. Our condo listing at Compass Point went under contract too. Before the activity posted in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listings Service, here are a couple of news items – most highlighting water initiatives.

Sanibel/Captiva Association of Realtors Monthly Membership Meeting

The islands’ Association of Realtors® had their monthly membership meeting yesterday with updates by two affiliate members. Birgie Miller, Executive Director of the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society, who sponsored the breakfast and Dave Owens, from Midland IRA and 1031, who spoke on tax-deferred exchanges.

“Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Birgie’s pitch included reminders that the J.N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge now covers 7,608 acres with 35 species of mammals, 102 species of fish, 272 bird species, 60 species of reptiles and amphibians, 14 threatened and endangered species, and more than 750,000 visitors each year. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society has four Realtor® board members and encourages everyone who enjoys the islands to join at www.dingdarllingsociety.org.

1031 Exchanges – During Dave Owen’s update, he reminded us that he first talked to island Realtors about tax-deferred exchanges in the late 90’s, they were fairly new to the island. Back then it was common for property owners here to exchange out of an investment rental condo into another one of higher value. Today, he said the most common scenario has changed. The states with the most tax-deferred exchanges are California, followed by Texas, then Florida. He said that today, more investors are coming out of investment properties in a highly taxed northern state and buying in Florida to defer capital gains and other taxes. MidIRALogoREV

In summary, a deeded property that qualifies for a 1031 exchange is one that is used for business, investment, property rented out or used in business, or land, if it was held for speculation. Property that does not qualify are primary residences, second homes with little or no rental history, or property not intended for business or investment use. Dave reported that since he first spoke to our group, he has performed some 10,000 exchanges. Good info on his web site at www.1031company.com.

Sanibel City Council Backs Mayors’ Water Quality Initiatives

Local papers report that on Tuesday, Sanibel City Council officially agreed with the initiative by Lee County’s mayors to combat short- and long-term water issues. Council unanimously voted to approve four points involving control of water prepared by the mayors of all Lee County’s cities at a recent emergency meeting in Bonita Springs. The approval came at the request of Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane, who chaired the meeting.

The request from the mayors to the South Florida Water Management District, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and other involved parties to, in times of emergency, release water south from Lake Okeechobee into the Everglades, identify public and private land suitable for storage and use it, and to provide transparency when drastic water release decisions have to be made.

“The mayors came up with the bullet points and continue to challenge the Corps of Engineers to use its operational flexibility,” Ruane told the council.

During the meeting, Holly Milbrandt, Acting Director of the Sanibel Department of Resources, framed the problem. “It was the wettest January on record with rainfall 400% above normal,” she said. “This is unprecedented for all of us and we are still evaluating. We are not out of the woods yet,” she said. “Weather forecasts are for far above normal rainfall. Water goes into the lake six times faster than it is released, so that is a challenge.”

She reported on Monday the Lake Okeechobee level was at 16.24’, compared to 16.33’ a week ago. She noted that the lake level “is finally falling for the first time in a long time.” She said the lake is 1.45’ higher than it was at this time last year and two feet higher than two years ago. Its level is in the range where the Corps of Engineers can release water.

Ruane and Milbrandt both highlighted that the fresh water pouring into the local estuary from the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River has not all come from the lake. During the heavy rains in January, most of the water was runoff from the local watershed. Now 89% of the water is coming from Lake O.

Ruane pointed out the importance of the C-43 Reservoir, which will hold local runoff but will not be ready until 2020. He also said C-43 covers only part of the storage acreage that is necessary in times of heavy rainfall and runoff.

The mayors’ document addressed both short- and long-term options. Under the heading: “What are the options for relief now?” the document asks to:

Initiate discharges from Lake Okeechobee to the 700,000 acres of agricultural lands south of the lake and to all other public and private lands in the C&FS system.
Identify and utilize emergency storage on all public lands within the Kissimmee, Lake Okeechobee, St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee basins.
Maximize storage within the Kissimmee Chain of Lakes and provide adaptive flexibility for water level management in the regulation schedules to allow more water storage.
Seek emergency temporary deviations from federal and state water quality criteria and restrictions that limit discharges south into Everglades National Park during extreme wet conditions and events.

Long-term solutions included land acquisition for and construction of the EAA Reservoir to help move water south of the lake and projects to create storage within the Caloosahatchee watershed, including C-43.

Council members noted the lead by Sanibel in getting action and creating awareness during the recent crisis. The council also pointed out how important it is for Sanibel to continue to be a leader when it comes to environmental practices. In conjunction with that, Council passed a second motion to provide a list of its management practices regarding nutrients and fertilizers and make it available to other municipalities.

Mayors Off to Washington

Capitol Bldg DC As reported in “The Santiva Chronicle”:

“Next week, Sanibel Mayor Kevin Ruane is off to Washington as part of a delegation that will bend Capitol Hill’s ear on water in Florida. Ruane believes that the mood is different in Florida now after the state was drowned with 16” of rain in January – the dry season. The drenching got everyone’s attention and it pointed out the frailties and inadequacies of the water management practices in the Everglades-Lake Okeechobee system.

““It’s not like 2013. It’s all hands on deck now,” Ruane said Tuesday afternoon, hours after the Sanibel City Council had given its unanimous approval to a brief prepared by Lee County’s mayors.

“Ruane is part of delegation that will include Cape Coral Mayor Marni Sawicki and Fort Myers Mayor Randy Henderson. It will also include elected officials from other areas, including the East Coast.

“The delegation will arrive in Washington Sunday and hit the pavement on Monday. Lawmakers are on the list, particularly the Florida delegation and those who hold key committee positions. Ruane has been effusive in his praise of Rep. Curt Clawson, R-Bonita Springs. Clawson is working closely with Ruane and others to get movement on several fronts. The delegation will also be in contact with Florida’s senators, Marco Rubio and Bill Nelson. Committee chairpersons for water resources and the environment are on the list and, of course, appropriations.

“But Ruane says the first visit needs to be paid to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps, Ruane said, is often painted as the enemy because it’s the Corps that turns the tap and starts the pumps at Lake Okeechobee, often to the detriment of places like Lee County. But the Corps, just like the rest of the Army, follows orders and operates within the framework of the resources it has been given.

““The first talk will be with the Corps of Engineers,” Ruane told the Chronicle Tuesday. “We won’t go there to argue or point fingers. We want to talk about how we can help one another. The Corps needs funding to complete major projects. A united front can help them get that funding.”

“This visit to Washington won’t involve appearing before any committees or subcommittees, but Ruane said that will be done if it is helpful and the opportunity arises…. “It’s all about working together, getting others to recognize each other’s problems and then finding solutions. The mayors, City Council, our lawmakers in the state and in Washington, and many others are pulling together this time. That’s what it’s going to take,” Ruane said.”

More Canadians Choosing to Sell U.S. Homes

Canada maple leaf As posted in “Realty Biz News” on Monday, this is the trend on the islands too.

“With the Canadian dollar currently around $.72 to the US dollar, an increasing number of snowbirds are choosing to sell their properties in the United States.

“Previously a large number of Canadians bought US property when prices were cheap and are now choosing to sell them to take advantage of higher real estate prices and a favorable exchange rate. Even when additional costs such as capital gains tax are taken into account, many Canadians feel it is too good an opportunity to miss. Quite a few chose to buy their property back in 2010 when the US and Canadian dollar were almost at par and when real estate prices had yet to recover. Thanks to low exchange rates and rising prices, this means that many are able to sell for a big profit. According to the article in CBC.ca, real estate agents in Arizona, an area very popular with snowbirds, are seeing an increase in the number of Canadian homeowners wishing to sell their property.

“Figures from the American National Association of Realtors® survey, for the year ending March 2007, show that Canadian buyers accounted for 11% of property sales to foreign buyers. As the strength of the Canadian dollar increased, so did the percentage of real estate deals to Canadian buyers. By March 2011 to March 2012, the percentage of sales to Canadians had more than doubled, increasing to 24% and accounting for approximately US$15.9 billion. Since then house prices have increased by between 30% and 50% and when the weak Canadian dollar is factored in to the equation, then sellers are able to make a large profit, even when tax is taken into account.

“In Florida, real estate agents are also seeing an increasing number of Canadians who wish to sell, compared to 2009 to 2013 when most wanted to buy. There is also another good reason as why selling is a popular option for those north of the border, as a declining Canadian dollar increases the costs of running a home in the US, and utility bills and property taxes have all become considerably more expensive.

“Real estate agents are confident this selling trend will continue for as long as the Canadian dollar remains weak. Some of those choosing to sell their homes will still escape harsh Canadian winters, but intend to rent in the future rather than buy.”

Low Rates Spark Big Rush to Refinance

As posted on Realtor®Mag on-line on Wednesday:

“Applications to refinance mortgages surged to their highest level in more than a year as home owners rushed to take advantage of low rates. Thirty-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.83% last week, the lowest level since April 2015, MBA (Mortgage Bankers Association) reports.

“The refinance boost fueled an 8.2% jump last week in total mortgage applications, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Refinance applications jumped 16% during the week ending Feb 12. Mortgage applications for home purchases, on the other hand, dropped 4% during this same time. The volume for all refinances is now 50% higher than just four weeks ago.

“”Treasury rates fell again last week, and mortgage rates fell to their lowest level in over a year, with rates on jumbo loans dropping to their lowest level since December 2012,'” says Michael Fratantoni, MBA’s chief economist. “As we have noted in recent weeks, borrowers with larger loans tend to be more sensitive to a drop in rates, because they stand to benefit more from refinancing.”

“Mortgage lenders reported a new record for the average loan size for refinances last week at $316,000, according to MBA.

“While mortgage applications for home purchases fell last week, the gauge of future home-buying activity still remains strong for the year. Mortgage applications for home purchases remains 30% higher than the same week one year ago, MBA reports.” Source: “Refinancing Pushes Mortgage Applications 8.2% Higher,” CNBC (Feb. 17, 2016)

Sanibel New Resident Reception

SanibelCityHall New residents are invited to a reception on Wed, March 2 at 9 a.m. in Mackenzie Hall at Sanibel City Hall. Mayor Kevin Ruane and City Council Members will be there to welcome new residents and answer questions.

Sanibel Hurricane Reentry Passes Available Now

The City is issuing 2016 series hurricane passes. All residents, property owners and businesses need to apply for a new 2016 series pass. (Our old ones were dated 2012.) The new residential passes are purple and the commercial are tan. These will be the only ones that will aid in re-entry to the island following a storm. Passes are issued at the Police Dept Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. More info and application forms on www.MySanibel.com.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity February 12-19, 2016

Sanibel

CONDOS

5 new listings: Coquina Beach #5B 2/2 $399K; Sanibel Siesta #402 2/2 $569K, Bayview Village #2A 3/3 $699K; Sand Pointe #217 2/2 $745,555; Yacht Haven #2 3/2 3/2 $949K.

1 price change: Gulfside Place #115 2/2 now $1.795M.

6 new sales: Sundial West #H407 1/1 listed at $465K, Seawind #A101 2/2.5 listed at $514.9K, Compass Point #221 2/2 listed at $599.9K (our listing), Sundial West #A305 2/2 listed at $799K, Island Beach Club 2/2 listed at $1.1M, Sedgemoor #102 3/3.5 listed at $2.495M.

1 closed sale: Tennisplace #D31 1/1 $230K.

HOMES

9 new listings: 535 Birdsong Pl 3/2 $549K, 577 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $769K, 1807 Buckthorn Ln 3/2.5 $799K, 979 Oyster Ct 2/2 $940K, 935 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $969K, 1174 Harbor Cottage Ct 3/2 $1.129M, 1665 Sabal Palm Dr 3/2 $1.295M, 1270 Bay Dr 3/2 $1.35M, 1069 Bird Ln 4/3.5 $4.995M.

7 price changes: 480 Peachtree Rd 3/3 now $699K, 557 N Yachtsman Dr 4/3 now $749K, 1125 Captains Walk St 3/3 now $749.9K, 689 East Rocks Dr 3/3 now $759K, 1245 Isabel Dr 3/3.5 now $1.548M, 2405 Blue Crab Ct 4/4.5 now $2.995M, 1196 Bay Dr 4/4.5 now $2.995M.

8 new sales: 1653 Bunting Ln 3/2.5 listed at $459K, 1565 Bunting Ln 3/2 listed at $599K, 9106 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed at $630K, 1130 Junonia St 3/2 listed at $679K, 1259 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 listed at $869K, 437 Lake Murex Cir 4/3 listed at $895.9K, 280 Ferry Landing Dr 3/2 listed at $899.9K, 5773 Sanibel-Captiva Rd 2/2 listed at $1.029M.

2 closed sales: 9477 Peaceful Dr 4/2 $450K, 2540 Coconut Dr 4/3.5 $955K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 6419 Pine Ave $1.699M.

2 price changes: Lot 27, Leisure Acres now $99.9K, 1311 Par View Dr now $299.9K.

1 new sale: 1304 Eagel Run Dr listed at $219K.

1 closed sale: 1466 Sand Castle Rd $239K (our listing).

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Beach Villas #2525 2/2 now $615K.

No new or closed sales.

HOMES

No new listings or price changes.

1 new sale: 11521 Laika Ln 3/3 listed at $1.445M.

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, more of the same wonderful island weather is expected!

February days in the mid-70’s are the best!

Beach santa

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Almost Thanksgiving 2015 on Sanibel Island

Posted on November 20, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s Sanibel Susan, reporting that this week, the record-warm temperatures continued on Sanibel and Captiva Islands along with sunny weather. As the islands get busier, so do the bike paths and beaches with snowbirds and vacationers already enjoying pre-holiday festivities.

Weather reports say that a cool front is arriving later today (Friday) with a few occasional showers that may hang around over the weekend and Monday – possibly a few daytime temperatures down into the mid-70’s too. We are ready for that.

By Thanksgiving, it’s likely to be back into the low 80’s.

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

Red Tide

It certainly is not unusual this time of the year, after a rainy warm summer to hear about red tide blooms in Florida. But, it has been a few years since Sanibel has experienced what is occurring now. Fingers crossed that the upcoming cool front pushes it away. In the meantime here what the City posted late yesterday on www.MySanibel.com:

“City Reminds Private Property Owners Proper Pickup Techniques for Removal of Debris from Sanibel’s Beaches

“At this time, the City of Sanibel is experiencing moderate levels of Red Tide impacting a small portion of the Island. We are monitoring conditions very closely. Excellent sources of additional information on Red Tide are available at:

http://www.leevcb.com/sites/leevcb.com/files/red_tide_rack_card_generic_web.pdf

http://www.leevcb.com/content/water-quality-issues

http://coolgate.mote.org/beachconditions/

http://forecast.weather.gov/wwamap/wwatxtget.php?cwa=usa&wwa=Beach%20Hazards%20Statement

https://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov/hab/

“Currently, Sanibel Public Works Department is picking up dead fish along the public beaches as conditions warrant. Property owners and managers authorized to remove dead fish from the beach along their respective properties. Anyone removing fish from the beach should adhere to the following guidelines:

Only dead fish may be removed from the beach. This ensures that beach habitat for Sanibel’s wildlife is protected during the cleanup process.
Dead fish may only be removed by hand, using hand tools such as pitch forks or grabbers. The use of shovels and mechanical equipment is strictly prohibited.
All fish should be double bagged and placed in an onsite dumpster for disposal.
At this time, NO large sea life has been impacted. If you have large fish, marine mammals or sea turtles that are too large to handle, please contact the City of Sanibel Police Dispatch at (239) 472-3111.
No motorized vehicles are permitted on the beach and only those vehicles authorized by the City Manager may be used in cleanup activities.

For further information regarding this matter, please contact the City of Sanibel Natural Resources Department at (239) 472-3700.”

SanibelSusan Realty Happenings

Again this week, several of our listings had showings. On Sunday, I opened two homes for showings. A condo listing sold this week, we received a new canal-front home listing which had its first showing yesterday, and I met with some other owners also thinking of selling in 2016.

Teammate Dave has been attending inspections, holding open houses, and following up on sales that are in process, while Elise continues to follow-up on our listing activity and marketing material. Lisa will be manning the fort tomorrow updating our inventory documents as she does each week. All of us are off on Thanksgiving Day (we are only closed two days a year – Christmas will be next). The team also will have next Friday off, while I will be showing property, then in the office sending you next Friday’s real estate update.

I had lunch today at Sundial Resort. They have a new menu, with a Caesar salad big enough to share if you are looking for a meal with a view. The new Japanese restaurant there is not open yet and it was pretty quiet for a Friday afternoon, but plenty of check-ins are expected tomorrow. Here’s hoping they are all buyers!

(Picture below taken today from the dining deck at the Sundial Beach Resort.)

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors November Membership Meeting

Yesterday, was the monthly breakfast meeting of the islands’ Association of Realtors®. Held at The Sanctuary, we were treated to a terrific meal followed by a presentation by Ken Kouril, the Golf Club General Manager. His pitch centered on the upcoming 2016 Capital Project planned at The Sanctuary which will provide more outside dining, redecorating and refreshing the Clubhouse, and constructing a state-of-the-art Fitness Facility. Here are a few more details from his handout:

“Redecorate/Refresh the Clubhouse – Redecorating by Peacock & Lewis, a highly recognized and awarded architectural and decorating firm, will focus on such key components as the color palette, repainting, new carpets and drapes, reupholstering and replacing furniture, new lighting fixtures, improved acoustics in the main dining room, an audio-visual system, and modernization of the bathrooms.

“Outside Dining – The porch adjoining the Grill Room will be transformed into a pleasant dining venue for Members. The project will involve a minor renovation to eliminate visual obstructions (the lower wall) to improve the view, and a complete makeover (e.g. floor, ceiling, lighting, furniture, fans, etc.) of the space to create a comfortable and attractive setting in harmony with the Grill Room.

“Fitness & Wellness Center – A 5,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art Fitness & Wellness Facility will be constructed comprised of a 1,800 sq. ft. equipment room housing cardio and strength training equipment, a dedicated stretching room, a 900 sq. ft. group exercise room for Pilates, yoga, and similar activities, comfortable and well-appointed rooms for massage therapy, and restrooms. There will be a new outside pool (75’ long x 25’ wide) for recreation and lap swimming with both deep and shallow water. Aerobics classes also will be an addition to the existing wellness programs currently offered.”

So as not to interfere with the upcoming winter activities at the club, the demolition of the current Fitness Center and construction of the new one will not begin until May 1, 2016 (expected to take a year to complete), while the Clubhouse work will begin May 15, 2016 and be completed by mid-October. (The Clubhouse will be available during construction. Tennis will continue through construction, however, the Fitness Center will not be available during this time.) More info at www.sanctuarygc.net

If you would like to enjoy these upcoming improvements at The Sanctuary, our listing at 5743 Baltusrol Court overlooking the 9^th fairway to lake is available. This unique custom villa home has a spectacular grand foyer, stunning great room opening to expansive outdoor living spaces with pool and spa plus pool bath. Inside, the split floor-plan has 3 bedroom suites with separate office/den, utility room, gourmet kitchen, and powder room. An oversized 2-car garage (really 2-1/2-car) completes the picture. The adjoining lot also is available. Please contact me for more details – or click on the tab above.

Upcoming Island Events

With holiday celebrations beginning, here is the big event of the weekend:

Sun – Nov 22 – Annual Sanibel Thanksgiving Celebration – at The Community House, 2173 Periwinkle Way at 6:45 p.m. This is a non-denominational celebration of Thanksgiving in music, words, and song. Admission is free. Local community leaders and representatives from island churches take part. Singers include The BIG ARTS Community Chorus (SanibelSusan in the alto section). Cookies and apple cider follow the celebration. Guests are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food or monetary donation for FISH of Sanibel-Captiva.

For those that follow our community chorus, here are a few other upcoming performances:

Sat – Nov 28 – During the 25^th Sanibel Masters Art Festival (which is both Fri & Sat from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.) on the grounds of The Community House, the Sanibel Chorus will perform a preview of their holiday concert twice on Sat morning, once at 10 a.m. and again about 11:30 following a short break.

Sat – Nov 28 – South Seas Tree Lighting is 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at the entrance to South Seas. Free and open to the public, this kicks off South Seas holiday season with a tree lighting ceremony featuring the BIG ARTS Community Chorus, cookie and ornament decorating, and a reading of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. www.southseas.com

Fri – Dec 4 – 31^st Annual Sanibel Luminary Festival – from 3 to 5 p.m. before the Luminary Trail begins, The Sanibel Historical Village will celebrate Christmas will a free public event. The theme is “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, in recognition of the 70^th anniversary of the end of World War II. The event will highlight what it was like on Sanibel during Christmas 1945. The Sanibel Community Chorus Ensemble will perform and each village building will incorporate patriotic pieces of the time in celebration of the theme, with live interactive events.

Also on Sanibel Luminary eve, at approximately 6 p.m. there will be a surprise flash mob inside Bailey’s Store, followed by the singing of carols outside. (Hope I didn’t spoil the surprise.)

Sanibel Luminary Trail is from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Friday, while Captiva’s Luminary is the next night, Sat Dec 5.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity November 13-20

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Sand Pointe #217 2/2 $789,999; Kings Crown #315 2/2 $899K; Gulfside Place #317 2/2 $1.495M.

2 price changes: Casa Blanca #6 1/1 now $250K, Snug Harbor #113 2/2 now $985K.

4 new sales: Seashells #28 2/2 listed at $365K, Sanibel Arms West #M8 2/2 listed at $519K, Sanibel Arms West #B1 2/2 listed at $525K, Sundial West #B206 2/2 listed at $579K (our listing).

2 closed sales: Lighthouse Point #221 3/2 $569.9K, Somerset #B201 3/2.5 $1.85M.

HOMES

8 new listings: 1429 Sandpiper Cir 3/3 half-duplex $429.9K, 9475 Beverly Ln 3/2 $534.5K, 1258 Par View Dr 3/2 $799K, 4215 Old Banyan Way 3/3 $825K, 918 Lindgren Blvd 3/3 $1.495M (our listing), 1688 Hibiscus Dr 3/3 $1.895M, 4190 Dingman Dr 4/3.5 $2.995M, 1196 Bay Dr 4/4.5 $3.195M, 2405 Blue Crab Ct 4/4.5 $3.295M.

1 price change: 1004 Fish Crow Rd 4/3 now $874.9K.

4 new sales: 2065 Wild Lime Dr 3/2.5 listed at $579K, 9445 Beverly Ln 3/2 listed at $699K, 236 Palm Lake Dr 3/2 listed at $879K, 5436 Shearwater Dr 3/3 listed at $989K.

3 closed sales: 426 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 $645K, 1490 Middle Gulf Dr 3/4.5 $1.583M, 2963 Wulfert Rd 4/6.5 $2.5M.

LOTS

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: Sabal Sands Rd, lot 8 $195K.

Captiva

CONDOS

4 new listings: Bayside Villas #5208 1/2 $287K, Marina Villas #807 2/2 $670K, Gulf Beach Villas #2127 2/2 $750K, Beach Homes #20 3/3 $2.595M.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

HOMES

1 new listing: 14981 Binder Dr 3/3 $1.095M.

No price changes, new, or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, Happy Thanksgiving!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Just Another Fabulously Sunny Friday on Sanibel Island

Posted on September 11, 2015 by SanibelSusan

Photo by Jim Anderson, JMA Photography, taken in front of Compass Point

It is another sunny Friday on Sanibel Island with more local temporary closings, vacations, and construction projects ongoing. Everyone is getting ready for “season”. We are ready NOW.

The Association of Realtors® did not have a Caravan meeting yesterday, but next Thursday is our monthly membership meeting and it will be at Sundial Resort.

A good time for me to remind attendees about our listings there.

Below are a couple of news items followed by the action posted since last Friday in the Sanibel/Captiva Multiple Listing Service. It was a slow week, with just three sales on Sanibel (a condo, a home, a lot) and none on Captiva.

Island Scuttlebutt

Center 4 Life Maintenance Closure – It’s that time of the year. The Center 4 Life will be closed from September 14 through 18 to complete numerous maintenance projects.

Clam Shack on Sanibel – Many original northerners (like me) looking for authentic New England seafood make the occasional summer off-island road trip to The Clam Bake which is a hidden gem down Rte 41 in Island Park Shopping Center. Recent news is that they will be opening a sister restaurant on Sanibel called The Clam Shack at 2407 Periwinkle Way (former location of Greenhouse Grill). Fingers crossed here that the menu includes fried clams with bellies!

Market organizer Jean Baer with Brussell sprouts on the vine

Farmers’ Market Reopening October 4 – “It’s the Best Thing Growing” – Going into its 8^th year, island gals Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura advise that the Sanibel Farmers’ Market will reopen on Sunday October 4 and continue weekly from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. through April 24 on the grounds of Sanibel City Hall. It’s hard to believe that the market started as a trial at Tahitian Gardens in 2008 with just 20-some vendors and has now expanded to about 50 vendors. It definitely is the place to visit with neighbors and stock up for the week! Jean and Betsy’s company “Local Roots LLC” now has other market locations too. Wednesdays at Fenway South Jet Blue Stadium in Fort Myers, Thursdays at Coconut Point in Estero, Fridays at Lakes Park in Fort Myers, plus two Saturday locations at The Promenade in Bonita Springs and Florida Southwestern Campus in Fort Myers. Each market offers a unique opportunity for local vendors to sell seasonal fruits and vegetables, cheeses, meats, breads, nursery stock, and other commodities. Some of the markets also showcase local crafters products. See more info at www.BuyLocalLee.com.

Pointe Santo – Rumor has it that the spalling work in progress at Pointe Santo’s gulf-front “E” building has expanded into several balconies, requiring their complete removal, so the building maintenance block has been extended from the end of Sept to early Nov. That is causing a bit of an inconvenience for the rental managers with tenants booked then. Once the “E” building work is done, the contractor is moving on to the other gulf-front building “A”. Fingers crossed that the condition there is better.

Sanibel Public Boat Ramp on Sextant Drive – is getting some routine maintenance, but one half of the dock will remain open during the construction period. Work should be complete by September 18.

SCCF Oyster Restoration – Did you know that the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation Marine Lab recycles oyster shells from three local restaurants, The Fish House, The Lazy Flamingo II, and Timbers? Since they began recycling almost a year ago, over 24,000 pounds of shell have been kept out of landfills going back into the bay.Four Things You Should Never Do To Your Home

The below article was posted in today’s edition of the “Island Sun”. It was written by Sanibel air conditioning contractor, Bryan Hayes (Sanibel Air), who also co-owns an island electric business with his brother, Todd. The article is a tad tongue-in-cheek, but actually offers some good advice.

“There are four things I suggest that you should never do to your home. They are:

Work On Your Own Plumbing – First off, because I absolutely hate plumbing work, I can work on A/C and electrical all day long, but ask me to change the smallest plumbing thing and I’m at the hardware store 15 times before I even start. Not to mention the disaster that could result. Trust me, it’s cheaper to hire a plumber.
Don’t Do Your Own Electrical – This might sound like it’s self-serving, but think about it this way. Think about what you do or did for a living. Now, imagine the average person trying to do what you did. Let’s say you were a boat mechanic. Would you go out on a boat that the average Joe repaired, with little or no experience? Again, it’s usually always better and safer to hire the right professional.
Don’t Do Your Own A/C Repair – Please change your filters, but when it comes to the rest, see 1 and 2 above.
Don’t Leave Your Home for More Than a Day Without Turning the Water Off – If you are going away, turn your water off. The damage that can result from leaking pipes is incredible. I was at a home that the occupants had left for a long weekend; a pipe had burst on the 3^rd floor, and the damage to this home looked like a bomb went off.

“So, I covered four things to never do to your home. But please, for the sake of your family, check your smoke detectors on a monthly basis. Smoke detectors save lives, but only when they are working. A good way to remember is to check them is every time you pay your electric bill.”

Properties Listed by Experienced Agents

Here’s an interesting statistic that was posted in “Florida Realtor®” September magazine:

“Properties listed by veteran agents (10 years or more experience) sell for approximately 2% more and do so 32% faster than those listed by new agents. Source: “The Impact of Agent Experience on the Real Estate Transaction,” Bennie D. Waller & Ali Jubran, Journal of Housing Research”

I’ve been licensed for 26 years and my team and I have been together since 1999. Elise also became licensed in 2003, Lisa in 2007, and Dave in 2012. We’ve got a lot of experience together and hope we too get the job done better and sooner.

About Zillow and Trulia

Since April, Zillow and Trulia are no longer receiving direct feeds of real estate listings from ListHub. Prior to April, ListHub had been a primary source of listing syndication. (Syndication commonly refers to an agreement between a broker and a 3^rd-party to advertise the broker’s listings on non-MLS web sites.)

Zillow Group has been in discussion with Florida MLS’s (Multiple Listing Services) to identify ways listings may or may not continue to be sent to Zillow and Trulia. Some agreements will result in data continuing to be supplied to the Zillow Group sites; however, each agreement is different.

The Sanibel and Captiva Association of Realtors® (where I am a primary member) and their MLS do NOT syndicate or sell their data, so island property searches and calculations performed through Zillow and Trulia often are erroneous.

Because of my secondary membership with the Realtor Association of Greater Fort Myers and The Beach, SanibelSusan Realty listings may be syndicated through them and they are, unless a Seller advises that they do not want their property advertised by a third party.

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity September 4-11

Sanibel

CONDOS

3 new listings: Mariner Pointe #1092 2/2 $499K, Sunset South #6B 2/2 $535K, Villa Sanibel #1B 2/2 $679K.

1 price change: Nutmeg Village #307 2/2 now $624.9K.

1 new sale: Blind Pass #B101 2/2 listed at $449K.

2 closed sales: Nutmeg Village #209 2/2 $720K, Pointe Santo #B46 2/2 $790K.

HOMES

1 new listing: 2079 Wild Lime Dr 3/2 $599K.

1 price change: 9032 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $549,749.

1 new sale: 3965 Coquina Dr 2/2 listed at $330K.

3 closed sales: 499 Leather Fern Pl 3/2 $600K, 1291 Sand Castle Rd 5/3.5 $705K, 9470 Balsa Ct 3/2 $800K.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 0 Sabal Sands Rd now $250K.

1 new sale: 2142 Starfish Ln listed at $399K.

1 closed sale: 1429 Albatross Rd $234.5K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Marina Villas #904 2/2 $665K.

No price changes, new or closed sales.

HOMES

2 new listings: 15000 Binder Dr 3/2 $1.195M, 16560 Captiva Dr 7/7.5 $7M.

1 price change: 15843 Captiva Dr 3/3 now $5.9M.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Best wishes for a sunny weekend to all! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Labor Day Weekend 2015 on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on September 4, 2015 by SanibelSusan

Photo courtesy of Jim Anderson, JMA Photography

It is Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan) reporting that it has been another quiet week on the Islands. We breathed a sigh of relief when Tropical Storm Erika dissipated last weekend and didn’t bring much rain to Sanibel and Captiva.

Weather for the long holiday weekend beginning today is expected to be typical of late summer with temperatures in the high 80’s/low 90’s and 20 to 40% chance of rain. The gorgeous summer sunsets continue, but island occupancy is down as it usually is in September.

Below are a few news items, followed by the action posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® MLS over the last seven days.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

This week, several of our listings had showings, I met with owners about future listings, and we worked on several fall marketing projects.

Yesterday, we had an Association of Realtors® Caravan Meeting. Attendance was light and only three properties were on caravan (one our new listing at Compass Point). No new listings were announced and no price reductions.

Much of the meeting chatter was about inventory. It has been another good year for island real estate sales, making some wonder if we will have enough real estate to sell this winter. Here is an update of that inventory:

SANIBEL

Condos – just 76 for sale with 121 sold/closed this year & another 14 under contract. Average sale price up 5% over last year when 165 condos sold.
Homes – just 89 for sale with 188 sold/closed this year & another 26 under contract. Average sale price up 6% over last year when 206 homes sold.
Lots – 65 for sale with 34 sold/closed this year & another 4 under contract. Average sale price down 5% over last year when 27 lots sold.

CAPTIVA

Condos – just 38 for sale with 28 sold/closed this year & another one under contract. Average sale price up 45% (because most of the sales this year were high-end condos at Lands End Village). Last year 22 condos sold.
Homes – just 39 for sale with 19 sold/closed this year & another one under contract. Average sale price up 14% over last year when 23 homes sold.
Lots – just 3 for sale with 2 sold/closed this year & another 2 under contract. None sold last year.

One more Association of Realtors® meeting is scheduled in September, then two in October before we go back to the “season” schedule of every Thursday morning, with Caravans alternating between east-end and west-end properties. Listed properties are allowed on Caravan only once in a 6-month period.

Over 10-Year View, Home Sales Are Strong

It is not just here where inventory is down. The below article was posted Tuesday on-line at “Daily Real Estate News”:

“The National Association of REALTORS® finds that July 2015 existing-home sales are markedly higher than the 10-year July average. The 10-year average is an average of the data from the past 10 July months.

“Regionally, the Northeast was the only area of the country slightly below its 10-year average, while all other regions showed stronger sales. The Midwest and South were up above average by more than 15% and the West has risen 9%, according to NAR.

“The median home price is also higher than the 10-year average. In its 10-year review, NAR says home prices nationally began to drop in 2006 in some regions and 2007 nationally but did not see the biggest drop until around 2009.

“”The trend for median home prices turned around completely in 2012, all regions and the U.S. saw their lowest July median price in 2011,” NAR notes on its blog Economists’ Outlook. Since then, home prices have been on the rise.

“A shortage of homes for-sale continues to persist in the current market. There are fewer homes available for sale this July than the 10-year July average.

“”In 2005, the U.S. had the fastest pace of homes sold relative to the inventory taking 4.6 months,” NAR notes. “In 2010, the U.S. had the slowest pace taking 11.9 months to sell the supply of homes on the market.” The 10-year July average in supply is 7.7 compared to this July, which is at a 4.8-month supply.”

Another Annual Renovation Project – “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center

Renovations begin on September 8 to the entrance and front-desk area of the “Ding” Darling Visitor & Education Center. During the two weeks that it will take to complete the improvements, the Center will remain open with visitors redirected to another entrance.

NAR Survey: Realtors® Plan to Extend Closing Dates

Following up on my blog posting last week about the upcoming federally-mandated changes regarding real estate closings for residential property with mortgages, the article below was posted on-line this week on FloridaRealtors®.

“A new National Association of Realtors® (NAR) survey finds that more than 50% of real estate agents plan to extend sales contracts and build in more time for closings due to the Oct. 3 implementation of new mortgage disclosures.

“Currently, the HUD-1 settlement form can be revised and delivered up to the day of settlement. By contrast, the new Truth in Lending Act/Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Integrated Disclosure (TRID) that goes into effect Oct. 3 must be finalized and in the borrower’s hands three days prior to closing.

“Failure to meet that deadline can result in a re-issuance of the closing disclosure and another three-day waiting period.

“”When asked about their plans to deal with the new TRID rules, 55.9% of Realtors plan to change their purchase agreements to reflect a longer timeline, while 31.2% will add contingencies to the contract,” says NAR based on the research.

“Florida Realtors plans to update its contracts on Sept. 28, 2015, in preparation for the October change. The association currently has the updated contracts posted online in a redline version that graphically shows the changes.

“The poll did not specifically ask how long a Realtor would extend a sales contract, and there appears to be no consensus on the issue. “Based on a handful of anecdotes, some (Realtors) are adding 15 days to a 30-day contract and others are opting for the 60-day contract,” says Ken Fears, NAR’s director of regional economics and housing finance. The NAR study also found that 82% of agents have taken some type of training to prepare for the TRID regime that takes effect Oct. 3….”

Good News About Lake O – Local Estuary Sitting at Good Levels

Below is some positive news about the rainy season this year, as posted in the “Santiva Chronicle” on Wednesday:

“A little more rain is needed, but Lake Okeechobee is at an acceptable level right now, which is good news for Sanibel Island and its estuary.

““For the majority of this year’s rainy season flows have been within the optimal range for the estuary,” James Evans, Sanibel Natural Resources director, said regarding the balance between fresh and salt water.

This balance has been maintained although rainfall on the east side of the state has been much lower than in Southwest Florida. The Southwest Florida Water Management District, which oversees the water resources in the southern half of Florida in 16 counties from Orlando to the Keys, reported Tuesday, Sept. 1, that the remnants of tropical systems Danny and Erika helped lift August rainfall to near average in much of the district.

““The Army Corps of Engineers tries to maintain Lake Okeechobee between 12.5 and 15.5 feet. Right now it’s at 13.08 feet. It has come up about a half-foot in the past week,” Evans said. “That’s a good thing,” he said. “The lake is 1.38 feet below where it was last year, but it is well within the management band that the Corps of Engineers would like to maintain.

““We would like to see the level of the lake come up a bit more before the end of the rainy season so that we have water for supplemental flows to the estuaries and to make sure that all the urban and agricultural needs can be met, but it is trending in the right direction.”

“Despite several days of rain at the end of the month, Martin, St. Lucie, Broward and Miami-Dade counties all got less than average rainfall in August.

“Evans said the city and the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation are watching flows coming into the local estuary from the Caloosahatchee watershed and those flows “are a bit higher than we would like to see.” “More rain out over the lake between now and October without an excess amount falling within the local watershed would be ideal,” Evans, who recently coauthored a comprehensive report on the Caloosahatchee watershed for the city, said.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity August 28-September 4

Sanibel

CONDOS

1 new listing: Village of Sanibel #R1 3/2.5 $449K.

No price changes.

2 new sales: Sundial #H303 2/2 listed at $589K, Signal Inn #18 3/2 listed at $1.089M.

3 closed sales: Colonnades #11 1/1 $210K, Captains Walk #C7 1/1 $205K, Captains Walk #F3 2/1.5 $278K.

HOMES

4 new listings: 3965 Coquina Dr 2/2 $330K, 5267 Ladyfinger Lake Rd 3/2 $895K, 1555 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2.5 $1.1M, 4428 Waters Edge Ln 3/2.5 $1.25M.

4 price changes: 9012 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 now $539K, 1024 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 duplex now $559.5K, 887 Casa Ybel Rd 4/3 duplex now $689K, 1328 Seaspray Ln 4/4 now $875K.

4 new sales: 1644 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/2 listed at $479K, 999 Sand Castle Rd 3/3 listed at $547K, 420 East Gulf Dr 3/3 listed at $679.9K, 1537 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 listed at $829K.

4 closed sales: 1744 Bunting Ln 4/2 $585K, 0 Sea Pines 3/2 $849K, 657 Birdie View Pt 3/3 $915K, 821 Sand Dollar Dr 4/4 $1.5M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 9232 Dimmick Dr now $235K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 1815 Ardsley Way $185K.

Captiva

CONDOS

Nothing to report.

HOMES

1 new listing: 17050 Captiva Dr 3/3 $4.9M.

1 price change: 11523 Wightman Ln 4/4 now $1.9499M

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Happy Labor Day Weekend!

Susan Andrews (aka SanibelSusan)

Dodging Summer Storms & Wonderful Sunsets on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on August 28, 2015 by SanibelSusan

Following the Florida Realtors 2015 Convention, The SanibelSusan Team and I are back into the swing of things on Sanibel. Though the islands are pretty quiet now – sometimes no cars passing by on Periwinkle Way – we all will be anxiously watching the weather this weekend hoping that Tropical Storm Erika heads away from Florida. Heavy but occasional showers this week have “greened” the island up, while there have been reports of minor flooding in some of the heavily traveled areas off island.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

We are happy to report that though there was only one new listing on Sanibel this week, it was a new condo listing at SanibelSusan Realty.

A few of our listings had good showings this week too, but not much sales action was reported. Below are a few news items followed by the activity posted since last Friday in the Sanibel and Captiva Multiple Listing Service.

Today we had an advance signing for an upcoming closing. Barrier Island Title Services, Inc. who holds our company escrows and performs most of SanibelSusan’s closings, usually, with notice, can prepare closing documents in advance. In this case, the sellers’ signing coincided with their last island visit before the actual closing date. The sale will not officially occur until later, but signing ahead eliminates the need for a mail-away for that half of the sale. Thanks to Barrier’s Closing Officer Angie Martin for facilitating this convenience.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Our local Sanibel & Captiva Association of Realtors® held its August membership breakfast meeting yesterday. Members were updated on the leadership team’s meetings in Orlando last week and the educational segment of the meeting included a presentation by Board Certified Real Estate Attorney Ned Hale on the new Consumer Protection Financial Bureau Rules that become effective October 3. Known as the Integrated Mortgage Disclosure Rule, here are some highlights.

Integrated Mortgage Disclosure Rule

Federally-mandated changes affect residential sales with mortgage financing and apply to any loan application taken by a lender on or after October 3. They are the result of the Dodd-Frank-Act of 2010.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB), an entity created by the Dodd Frank Act, issued a new Truth in Lending Act (TILA) final regulation that, among other things, created two new forms (each with many variations) and new 3-business day delivery requirements.

Beyond possibility adding more time to the window from contract to closing, the changes also involve new terminology. For example, a new form called the “Loan Estimate” replaces the former Good Faith Estimate (GFE) and Initial Truth-in-Lending Disclosure (TIL). More importantly, a new “Closing Disclosure” will replace the HUD-1 Settlement Statement and Final Truth-in-Lending Disclosure (TIL).

Under the new rule, the consumer is required to receive the new “Loan Estimate” three business days after application. What constitutes application? 1. Consumer’s name, 2. Consumer’s income, 3. Consumer’s social security number, 4. A property address, 5. An estimate value of the property, 6. The mortgage loan amount sought. The “Loan Estimate” will be issued by the lender or mortgage broker.

The consumer also is required to receive the new “Closing Disclosure” three business days before the closing or when the loan is consummated. The “Closing Disclosure” will be issued by the lender or settlement agent if the lender delegates that responsibility to them.

How is this going to impact a Realtor® and their business?

Closings may take longer because of the 3-business day review periods.
Different forms will be used for most transactions.
Realtor® contact information and license numbers will be on the new “Closing Disclosure”.
Buyers may receive multiple “Loan Estimates” due to changed circumstances, multiple applications, or multiple applications with different loan products with the same lender.
Clients may receive multiple “Closing Disclosures”, some with a three business-day waiting period and some without, and some before closing and some after.

Like all new rules, there will be a learning curve, but I think that we can assume that the closing process will take longer if there is a mortgage. If a transaction, with bank financing, normally would take 30-45 days to close, it likely will take longer. If expenses are to be included on a “Closing Disclosure”, the lender and the title company will need the invoices well in advance of the closing date. Contact information for home- and condo-owners associations will need to be provided earlier too. Realtor® communication will remain key, particularly with lenders and title companies regarding any potential delays, out-of-state signings, powers-of-attorney, or seller credit adjustments. Getting from contract to closing always takes Realtor® attention and diligence – but after October 3, it will be even more important.

Upcoming Realtor Events

Wondering what local Realtors® are doing to help the community? Many of us have marked our calendars for the upcoming events.

Coastal Clean-up – Sep 19 – Realtor® teams will participate in this world-wide Coastal Clean-up event which here is organized by SCCF (Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation).
Habitat for Humanity – Date TBD in Sep – In May, Sanibel Realtors® prepped and painted a new Habitat for Humanity home in San Carlos Park. It was especially rewarding because the Mom, who with her children would be moving into the home, worked hand-in-hand. A date for some new home building tasks soon will be assigned to Sanibel’s Realtors®.
Meals of Hope – Date TBD in Nov – Meals of Hope is a local non-profit that arranges for the packaging of nutritional meals by volunteers. The food packages then are distributed by accredited food bank partners. Last summer, Elise and I joined other real estate association colleagues from Southwest Florida in one of these food packaging events in Bonita Springs where over 20,000 meals were put together in an afternoon. Many of these meals went to children and their families who were not getting school-provided meals because of the summer school break. Since its start in 2007, Meals for Hope has packaged and distributed more than 27 million meals. The upcoming Sanibel/Captiva Islands Realtor® event will be held at the association’s meeting room where we hope to package at least 5,000 meals.
Heart Walk – January 31 – Realtors® again will participate in this early-2016 fundraiser where the Sanibel/Captiva Heart Walk goal is to raise $50K for the American Heart and American Stroke Associations.

Where to Dine in September?

If you are planning to be on the island next month, remember that is when many of the local restaurants and stores perform their annual housekeeping and repairs, while many employees get well-deserved vacations. Here are a few of the temporary closings that we heard about this week.

Bleu Rendez-Vous French Bistro – Closes after dinner on tomorrow (8/29) and will be closed the month of September.
Over Easy Café – Will be closed for just ten days, September 14-24.
Traders Café & Store – Closes after dinner on tomorrow (8/29) and will be closed most of September (until 9/29). They will, however, be open for dinner the evening of September 28 from 5 to 9 p.m. for the annual Celebrity Island Dinner to benefit The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum. Tickets are required, www.shellmuseum.org

Winter-Weary Home Buyers Heading to Florida

Thanks, Scott, for sharing the following article from the August 19th “Wall Street Journal”.

“In terms of real estate, the winter of 2014-15 may be the best thing that ever happened…to Florida.

The Sunshine State is No. 2, behind California, in jumbo volume for both primary and secondary homes at Quicken Loans, says Bill Banfield, vice president at Quicken, one of the country’s largest jumbo lenders. “When you have got people who get cold in the wintertime, they start thinking about places they would rather be. And that places Florida at the top of the list,” he says.

“In June, sales of single-family homes were up 19.6% and condo sales 14.6% in Florida compared with a year ago, according to Florida Realtors, the state’s largest trade association for residential real-estate professionals.

“The median home-sale price for single-family homes in Florida is $203,500, well under the $417,000 limit for government-backed loans in all but two counties in the state. Driving jumbo lending are markets like Miami Beach, where conforming loans are capped at $417,000 but the median sale price of a bay-front home is $2.7 million and waterfront estates can reach $40 million.

“At Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, the top metro area in Florida for jumbo lending is Naples-Marco Island, located in Collier County, where the conforming loan limit is $425,000. (The only other county that exceeds the $417,000 limit is Monroe County in the Florida Keys, where conforming loans are capped at $529,000.)

“Other Florida metro areas with high jumbo volume include Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach area (median sales price $295,000), North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota ($245,000), Cape Coral-Fort Myers ($212,250) and Jacksonville ($212,000), says Andre Brooks, Florida regional sales manager for Wells Fargo Home Mortgage, which holds the largest volume of jumbo mortgages in the U.S.

“Lenders say that many borrowers in Florida are retirees moving south or out-of-state residents buying vacation homes. But another big demographic is self-employed entrepreneurs, says Tom Wind, executive vice president of home lending at Jacksonville, Fla.-based EverBank. Small-business owners like the fact that Florida has no state income tax and a business-friendly environment, he adds.

“EverBank also does most of its Florida jumbo lending in the south and southwest coastal regions, with the majority of loans in the $800,000 to $1 million range, Mr. Wind says. “We see a lot of people coming from the Northeast to the east side of Florida, and from the Midwest to the West Coast,” he says.

“Foreign buyers, mostly from France and South America, are also big in the Miami area, where more than half of sales this summer have been cash transactions, says Ines Hegedus-Garcia, an agent with Miami-based RelatedISG International Realty. In hot areas like Miami Beach, home buyers should be prepared for bidding wars and final sale prices above listing prices, she adds. In competitive markets, borrowers are sometimes losing out to cash buyers even when they bid higher.

“Here are a few more tips for Florida jumbo borrowers:

Higher down payments. While jumbo mortgages typically require a 20% down payment, some Miami sellers will also make that mandatory even when the buyer’s lender has looser requirements, Ms. Hegedus-Garcia says. “The seller wants to see a stronger buyer,” she adds. Many Florida borrowers put down even more, 30% or 40%, on homes in the $1 million range, Mr. Banfield says.
Cash now, finance later. One way that jumbo borrowers compete with cash buyers is to purchase with cash and then refinance a few months later, Mr. Brooks says. Roughly half of Quicken’s Florida jumbos are refinances, Mr. Banfield says.
Consider an ARM. About 40% of Wells Fargo’s jumbo mortgages in Florida are adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) compared with only 10% of the general mortgage population, Mr. Brooks says. Quicken also sees a lot of ARM borrowers who aren’t quite at retirement but want to buy a second home. They get a jumbo with low rates for the initial five years, for example, then use the proceeds from the eventual sale of their primary home to pay off the ARM before higher rates kick in, Mr. Banfield says.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity August 21-28

Sanibel

CONDOS

Compass Point pool

1 new listing: Compass Point #221 2/2 $699K (our listing).

3 price changes: White Caps South #5 1/1 now $520K, Mariner Point #813 2/2 now $549K, Seascape #301 3/3 now $1.139M.

1 new sale: Sundial B408 1/1 listed at $465K.

4 closed sales: Sundial #H302 2/2 $550K, Island Beach Club #P2E 2/2 $720K, Sundial #A301 2/2 $845K, Lighthouse Point #323 3/2 $830K.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 1004 Fish Crow Rd 4/3 now $899K.

2 new sales: 580 Chert Ct 2/2 listed at $580K, 2255 Troon Ct 4/5.5 listed at $1.55M.

4 closed sales: 9439 Coventry Ct 2/2 $515K, 1314 Tahiti Dr 2/2 $525K, 1409 Albatross Rd 3/2 $565K, 554 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $680K.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 2486 Wulfert Rd now $205,555.

1 new sale: 247+255 Robinwood Cir listed at $229K.

1 closed sale: 9239 Dimmick Dr $133K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Bayside Villas #5310 3/3 now $580K.

1 new sale: Captiva Shores #1A 3/2.5 listed at $1.55M.

1 closed sale: Beach Homes #30 3/2 $2.1M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 11546/48 Wightman Ln 3/2.5 $3.8M.

1 price change: 11520 Andy Rosse Ln 5/5 now $2.29M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 11516 Andy Rosse Ln 6/6 $2.225M.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

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

Until next Friday, here’s hoping that Erika heads out to sea & misses Florida completely!

Fingers crossed, Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Dog Days of Summer on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on August 14, 2015 by SanibelSusan

It’s SanibelSusan reporting that the dog days of summer continue on Sanibel/Captiva Islands with a big shower this morning. More rain is expected over the weekend and into early next week.

The humidity is off the charts, but hopefully not for long.

Luckily not many vacationers will be disappointed about the weather, as I understand that beginning tomorrow, it really will be “off-season” with occupancy way down – for the first time since last year at this time. Happens every year when it’s nearly back-to-school time.

SanibelSusan Realty Associates

Several of our listings had showings this week and we had another nice closing today – both sides (list and sell). Two of our listings got price reductions too.

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors®

Our local Association of Realtors® had a Caravan meeting yesterday (first one in several weeks). Just two new listings were on tour (one of Sanibel, one Captiva), and just a couple of sales were announced which are described in the 7-day report from the Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listings Service which follows a couple of news items below.

New Pavilion Constructed at SCCF Bailey Homestead Preserve

This week, the “Island Sun” reported that one of the final remaining projects to be completed at the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation’s Bailey Homestead Preserve was the addition of a large open-air pavilion behind the main house.

Here's a throw-back photo from 2012 of teammate cleaning the sign at the Native Plant Nursery

Here’s a throw-back photo from 2012 of teammate Lisa cleaning the sign at the Native Plant Nursery

It is nearly completed and “the foundation is looking at a November opening date for the Native Plant Nursery, which will relocate there from its current home along Sanibel-Captiva Road.

“The pavilion is planned as the site for SCCF’s Landscaping for Wildlife program, along with other activities hosted by the nursery….The Bailey Homestead had originally been a row farm, growing crops such as tomatoes, squash, eggplant and other vegetables, until the hurricane of 1926 ruined the island’s rich soil. Later, the site included citrus trees such as orange, grapefruit and lime. The property also includes what members of The Hammerheads call the “Honey House”. Built after the original structure, the small building is where workers would process the row crops and honey farmed onsite.

“Over the next few months, work to be completed at the Bailey Homestead Preserve includes adding final touches to the pavilion, grading of the properties’ pathways and parking areas, installing fencing and finishing the interior layout of the house itself….SCCF will announce the grand opening date for the Bailey Homestead Preserve in the future. For additional info, visit www.sccf.org.”

Lee County Day at The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum

August 20, Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Lee County adults get half-off museum admission and Lee County kids get in free.

For one day only and sponsored by LCEC (Lee County Electric Co-op), this is a great opportunity to see the WaterVentures Mobile Science Lab.

Yun Joins “Forbes” as Regular Contributor

As a long-time fan of NAR’s Chief Economist, Lawrence Yun, it was good news to read the following article about him in yesterday’s “Daily Real Estate News” on line:

“Lawrence Yun, the chief economist for the National Association of REALTORS®, has become a regular contributor to Forbes.com, sharing his latest thoughts on the housing market. He will be posting two to four articles every month related to housing and the economy at Forbes.com.

“Yun’s columns will offer insights into the wide range of research activity he oversees at NAR, including NAR’s existing-home sales statistics, NAR’s Affordability Index, and the Home Buyers and Sellers Profile Report. Yun regularly provides commentary on real estate market trends to NAR’s 1 million REALTOR® members as well as to media outlets across the country.

“In his first column at Forbes.com, Yun highlights the drop in the home ownership rate to a near 50-year low, and how that doesn’t necessarily mean the housing recovery is headed for trouble. “This does not mean that the housing market is in a funk,” Yun writes. “Rather it is quite the opposite, with home sales and home prices rising solidly in recent times. Existing-home sales were up eight% year-to-date to June from the same period a year ago, while new home sales were higher by 21%.”

“The home ownership rate has fallen because of the dwindling number of first-time home buyers and the tightening of mortgage underwriting standards in recent years, he says. The drop in first-time home buyers is the most alarming trend for the housing market, Yun writes.

“In 2014, the first-time home buyer share dropped to 33%, the lowest level in nearly three decades. What’s more, the tighter lending environment has prompted an estimated 1.2 million missing mortgages to would-be qualified borrowers based on historic norms, according to a report by the Urban Land Institute.

“Yun notes the drop in the home ownership rate has caused the country’s wealth distribution to become more unequal today — mostly because the drop in the home ownership rate is occurring at a time of rising home values. “Homeowners and property-owning investors are participating in the housing equity recovery but there are fewer in number,” Yun notes.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity August 7-14

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Sundial #R401 2/2 now $799K (our listing).

1 new sale: Sanddollar #A203 3/2 listed at $1.015M.

1 closed sale: Spanish Cay #F2 1/1 $225K (our listing & sale).

HOMES

3 new listings: 789 Pyrula Ave 4/2.5 $1.275M, 411 Lighthouse Way 4/3 $1.495M, 1552 San Carlos Bay Dr 4/5.5 $3.75M.

2 price changes: 420 East Gulf Dr 3/3 now $679.9K, 5743 Baltusrol Ct 3/3.5.5 now $1.35M (our listing).

4 new sales: 1388 Tahiti Dr 3/2 listed at $639K, 546 East Rocks Dr 3/2 listed at $789K, 169 Southwinds Dr 2/2 listed at $798K, 249 Daniel Dr 2/2.5 listed at $834.9K.

5 closed sales: 4636 Buck Key Rd 2/2 $375K, 1400 Albatross Rd 3/3 $510K, 1710 Sand Pebble Way 3/2 $607.5K, 4620 Rue Bayou 3/3 $835K, 2915 Wulfert Rd 5/6.5 $2.575M.

LOTS

No new listings.

1 price change: 1048 Fish Crow Rd now $399K.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: 3354 Barra Cir $295K.

Captiva

CONDOS

3 new listings: Tennis Villas #A205 1/1 $259K, Captiva Shores #1A 3/2/2 $1.55M, Beach Homes #27 5/3 $2.599M.

No price changes or new sales.

1 closed sale: Beach Homes #3 3/2 $1.86M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 16447 Captiva Dr 7/6/2 $3,999,999.

No price changes, new sales, or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Until next Friday, enjoy your weekend! Here the turtles are still nesting & the baby sea turtles are still hatching! Cheers! Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

Sea Turtle Nests Break Record on East Sanibel

2016 Profile of International Activity in U.S. Residential Real Estate

Corps to Cut Back Lake O Releases

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity July 8-15, 2016

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Realtors June Membership Meeting

1st Annual National Shell Day a Success

Americans Are Feeling Wealthier, More Upbeat

Buyers Gaining Upper Hand in Luxury Market

Do You Vote in Lee County?

Here for July 4th?

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity June 17-24, 2016

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At SanibelSusan Realty

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Specialist Designation

1st National Seashell Day

Fishing Pier Rehab Project

Top 10 Outdoor Features, Where Most Are, & What They’ll Pay

Red-Hot South Florida Home Prices Are Cooling Off

Sanibel Prescribed Burns Begin Today

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity May 27-June 3, 2016

‘til next Friday, here’s hoping the raindrops stay away & the sunsets continue like the one below!

Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan

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Where Is the Great White Pelican Now?

Sanibel – The Smartest City in Florida

Robots Can’t Replace REALTORS®

Sea School’s Octifest Celebrates 10 Years of Ocean Education

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 4-11, 2016

Here’s to another weekend of great beach weather!

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Sanibel/Captiva Association of Realtors Monthly Membership Meeting

Sanibel City Council Backs Mayors’ Water Quality Initiatives

Mayors Off to Washington

More Canadians Choosing to Sell U.S. Homes

Low Rates Spark Big Rush to Refinance

Sanibel New Resident Reception

Sanibel Hurricane Reentry Passes Available Now

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity February 12-19, 2016

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1^st Annual National Shell Day a Success

Here for July 4^th?

1^st National Seashell Day