SanibelSusan here reporting that Sanibel and Captiva have had another week of wonderful fall weather. It is getting to be the time of year when we can readily tell the locals from the tourists, the latter being those out-&-about shirtless/tank-tops wearers, some also dressed in bathing suits and shorts. All of this, while we locals are happily in the long sleeves and pants that we haven’t worn since April.
As the joke goes, Florida at this time of the year has Winter in the morning (6 a.m.), Spring starts at 10 a.m. Summer is at 2 p.m., followed by Fall at around 4:30 p.m. Dress accordingly!
Sanibel & Captiva Real Estate Scoop
Below is some island news followed by the real estate action this week posted in the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.
Real estate here continues to move more quickly than years past. There seem to be plenty of buyers, though many are shocked at what has recently happened to prices. Those planning to spend up to $800K are really discouraged. “When will it end?”, they want to know. Our crystal ball is not responding.
For your info, below is a summary inventory update based on the island MLS as of today (Nov 12):
|
Status |
SANIBEL | CAPTIVA | ||||||||||
| Condos | Homes | Lots | Condos | Homes | Lots | |||||||
| # | Avg $ | # | Avg $ | # | Avg $ | # | Avg $ | # | Avg $ | # | Avg $ | |
| For sale | 20 | 963,350 | 24 | 2,569,541 | 20 | 705,450 | 6 | 2,123,166 | 7 | 5,718,571 | 0 | N/A |
| Under contract | 26 | 825,336 | 35 | 1,739,142 | 7 | 455,125 | 6 | 914,666 | 7 | 4,062,571 | 0 | N/A |
| Sold 2021 to 11/12 | 254 | 858,748 | 320 | 1,323,294 | 64 | 725,835 | 55 | 1,205,380 | 38 | 2,874,865 | 2 | 2,950,000 |
| Sold 2020 | 192 | 733,876 | 290 | 954,718 | 23 | 606,233 | 47 | 821,713 | 27 | 2,923,148 | 4 | 2,537,500 |
| Yr Most Sold 2005 | 232 | 758,507 | 260 | 1,028,584 | 68 | 496,726 | 45 | 863,642 | 31 | 2,309,758 | 0 | N/A |
There was no Realtor® Caravan Meeting yesterday because of the holiday, but next week Thursday Caravan follows our November Membership Meeting where Florida Realtors® Chief Economist, Dr. Brad O’Connor will give a market update.
Upcoming Events
SCCF 29th Annual Tennis Tournament – The Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation annual tennis fundraiser Is this weekend, Nov 13 & 14 at Beachview Tennis Club. Spectators are welcome.
40th Taste of the Islands & CROW Crawl – The 40th Taste of the Islands kicked off on Nov 1. Like last year, the event runs all month with participating restaurants offering their “Taste” items to showcase their cuisine. A portion of proceeds from these designated food and beverage items will be donated to CROW. Restaurants also will compete for honors in different categories described in the Taste of the Islands Passports. Those passports may be purchased at all Edison National Bank locations (including Bank of the Islands), Bailey’s General 
Store locations, and Huxter’s Market & Deli. They also may be purchased online at www.TasteoftheIslands.org. (Limited-edition tee shirts also are available at Bank of the Islands. Tomorrow, Nov 13 from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. is the CROW Crawl at 400 Rabbits, Island Cow, Love Boat Ice Cream (Sanibel), Paper Fig Kitchen, Thistle Lodge, and Traders.
73rd Season – Sunday Services at Chapel by the Sea – Sunday interdenominational worship services begin for their 73 season, on Nov 14 at Chapel by the Sea on Captiva. Held weekly at 11 a.m. through the end of April. They will have seating both inside and outside, plus the services will be videotaped and posted on http://www.CaptivaChapel.com.
Cruises to Historic Tarpon Lodge & Calusa Indian Mounds on Pine Island – Cruises to Tarpon Lodge and the Indian mounds on Pine Island are offered on select Wednesdays from November through April, beginning Nov 17 through Captiva Cruises. More info on www.CaptivaCruises.com.
37th Sanibel & Captiva Luminary Stroll – Dec 3 (Sanibel) & 4 (Captiva), both events are from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Once again, after a reprieve last year, traditional luminary nights return. There will be luminary candles, live entertainment, open houses at businesses, and more. Highlights include Sanibel’s live nativity scene and Captiva’s golf cart parade. For pre-Luminary fun on Sanibel, the Historical Village holiday exhibits will be open with free admission during their open house on Friday, Dec 3 from 3 to 5 p.m.
End of Hurricane Season
The end of the 2021 Hurricane Season for the Atlantic Basin (Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of Mexico) Is Nov 30. Hooray! This time often is when islanders empty their emergency hurricane boxes and donate their unused non-perishable food goods to F.I.S.H.
Fall into F.I.S.H.mas
This year, the local Association of Realtors® is collecting items for F.I.S.H. holiday gifts which will go to needy seniors, teens, and children. The event wraps up on Dec 1. In the meantime, the SanibelSusan Team is shopping. .
Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service Activity November 5-12, 2021
Sanibel
CONDOS
7 new listings: Blind Pass #A202 2/2 $629K, Mariner Pointe #421 2/2.5 $769.9K, Blind Pass #E103 3/3 $775K, Sanibel Inn #3421 2/2 $899K, Sand Pointe #228 2/2 $1.095M, Sundial #L402 3/2 $1.379M, Gulfside Place #124 2/2 $1.4959M.
No price changes.
2 new sales: Sundial #C305 1/1listed at $549,945; Sanibel Arms West #J1 2/2 listed at $679K.
4 closed sales: Lighthouse Point #120 3/2 $600K, Sandalfoot #2D3 2/2 $793.5K, Heron at The Sanctuary III #2B 3/2.5 $849K, Lighthouse Point #325 2/2 $1.096M.
HOMES
4 new listings: 1667 Atlanta Plaza Dr 2/1.5 $650K, 543 Boulder Dr 3/2 $1.265M, 4077 Coquina Dr 3/2 $1.299M, 719 Periwinkle Way 4/3 $1.895M.
1 price change: 2138 Egret Cir 3/2 half-duplex now $729K.
5 new sales: 719 Durion Ct 3/2 listed at $995K, 1245 Par View Dr 3/2.5 listed at $1.575M, 1220 Morningside Pl 6/4 listed at $2M, 856 Limpet Dr 4/2.5 listed at $2.358M, 699 Anchor Dr 4/4 listed at $2.395M.
2 closed sales: 837 Casa Ybel Rd 2/2 duplex $580K, 547 N. Yachtsman Dr 4/3 $1,419,999.
LOTS
1 new listing: 1332 Eagle Run Dr $499K.
2 price changes: 845 Pyrula Ave now $515K, 3308 Saint Kilda Rd now $649K.
No new or closed sales.
Captiva
CONDOS
3 new listings: Bayside Villas #5320 3/3 $950K, Marina Villas #706 2/2 $950K, Beach Homes #20 3/3 $4.349M.
No price changes or new sales.
3 closed sales: Bayside Villas #5204 1 /2 $440K, Tennis Villas #3210 1/1 $491K, Lands End Village #1649 2/2 $1.325M.
HOMES
2 new listings: 30 Urchin Ct 3/2 $1.495M, 17201 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 $5.65M.
No price changes.
2 new sales: 11529 Andy Rosse Ln 4/4 listed at $2.55M, 14991 Binder Dr 4/4 listed at $5.795M.
No closed sales.
LOTS
Nothing to report.
This representation is based in part on data supplied by the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® Multiple Listing Service. Neither the association nor its MLS guarantees or is in any way responsible for its accuracy. Data maintained by the association or its MLS may not reflect all real estate activity in the market. The information provided represents the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions.
Below is our ad from today’s “Island Sun”.
Enjoy your weekend & don’t forget to get your bird early.
Susan Andrews, aka SanibelSusan
Wednesday after work was the 25th Annual Sanibel & Captiva Islands Association of Realtors® End of Season Party and RPAC Auction. Usually held in the spring after the busy winter season, this year, the event again was delayed because of the pandemic. Though, it probably is accurate to say that “season” never really ended this year, it was great to socialize again in-person with colleagues. It had been almost two years since some of us had been together. Held at The Sanctuary, the event began with an afternoon golf tournament followed by the party with auction.
The final tally of RPAC dollars raised has yet to be announced, but the islands Association of Realtors® usually is the recipient of state awards for the goals they surpass and level of organization participation. (Awards from last year shown here.) Hopefully enough was received this year to garner a few more.
RPAC (Realtor® Political Action Committee) has been around since 1969 and promotes candidates who will protect and promote the real estate industry and individual property rights. From each dollar raised, 30% goes toward national issues through the National Association of Realtors®, 35% to Florida Realtors® for state issues, and 35% to local associations. Funds here have been used for such environmental issues as to improve water quality, prevent over development, ensure redevelopment, and beach renourishment.
Looking to Tallahassee, each year the Florida legislature introduces more than 4,000 bills. Florida Realtors® monitors each one and, when appropriate, works to influence the bill’s direction. RPAC isn’t Republican, isn’t Democrat, but provides an independent voice, fighting for homeowners and Realtors®.
This year for the auction, SanibelSusan again donated a Jumbo Lobster Dinner for 4 (or gift certificate) from the Lobster Net in Brewer, Maine. If you ever want fresh Maine seafood, delivered right to your door, check them out at 
Island restaurant news is always big news. This week on their Facebook page, Matzaluna posted: “So the rumors are true. After 26 wonderful years, we are closing shop and leasing the premises to another group. Will be business as usual until mid-November. Stop by, see the crew and get your fill of our Italian specialties and wood-fired pizza.”
Sanibel Historical Museum & Village Reopening – Both the museum and village are reopening next week for season on October 19. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays, with masks required inside the buildings. Their new pavilion also is scheduled to open in December. Full guided tours will be available only if reserved in advance for groups of no more than six and depending on docent availability. Upcoming season highlights include two Twilight Talks (March 15 and April 5) and their annual gala fundraiser which this year will be a movie premier at The Community House on Sanibel on February 22. More info at 
The Seahorse Social – School PTA Fundraiser – Tickets are on sale for the Sanibel School’s first large-scale fundraiser in over a year. The Seahorse Social is scheduled for October 22 from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at The Community House and will feature Spanish- and Latin-inspired food and drinks, live music by the Heat Latin Jazz Band, a performance by school Steel Drum Band, and live and silent auctions. To buy tickets, visit 
29th Annual SCCF Tennis Tournament – To register for the upcoming annual Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) tennis tournament on November 13 and 14 at Beachview Tennis Club, contact Club owner/pro Toni Halski at 239-472-9099.
Tween Waters 2021 Tree Lighting Celebration – Once fall arrives and pumpkins are out, Thanksgiving and Christmas are not far behind. If planing ahead, the Tween Waters 2021 Tree Light Celebration is Friday, November 26 at 4:30 p.m. This annual event is when their 30’ Christmas tree is lit and 200,000+ holiday lights start dancing in synchronicity at Tween Waters Island Resort & Spa on Captiva. The celebration includes holiday music, fireworks show on the beach, laser lights, and even real snow falling for palm trees. Though viewable by some public areas (like the beach and gulf), the resort itself has limited parking, open to guests of Sanibel Captiva Beach Resorts (which include Tween Waters, West Wind Inn Island Resort, Beachview Cottages, and Castaways Cottages) and those with dinner reservations at Old Captiva House and Crow’s Nest Bar & Grille. More info at 
See ya next Friday, Susan Andrews aka SanibelSusan