Families Love Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on May 11, 2012 by SanibelSusan

Sanibel weather this week has been terrific, though nearing summertime temperatures. All of a sudden, we have seen a huge drop-off in traffic and phone calls. Other offices report the same and our friends in the vacation-rental business said that rental inquires have dropped off to almost nothing this week. It is pretty typical for this time of the year with school years finishing up, graduations etc. Activity should pick up some over the Memorial Day weekend and then more as summer vacations begin.

There was light turn-out at our first off-season biweekly Realtor® Caravan Meeting yesterday. Only a handful of new listings were “open” for viewing, mostly properties that could not be viewed during high-season because of heavy rentals.

Here are a few island news items, followed by a report of the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service activity over the past seven days. To especially honor all the Moms, included are some fun postings for families.

Happy Mothers’ Day weekend to all!

Family-Friendly Destination

Below is an excerpt from an article posted Monday on a Canadian site called “Just the Facts Kid”. (www.justthefactskid.com/) It says:

“Parents would be hard-pressed to find a more family-friendly destination than Sanibel Island, Florida.

“It’s convenient…Located on the Gulf Coast side of Florida. Sanibel Island is just 45 minutes from the Fort Myers airport.

“It’s the perfect combination of nature and fun…Sanibel Island is just 12 miles long and five miles wide. More than 60% of the island is protected wildlife reserve and its white sand beaches go on for miles and miles. There is little to do besides swim, relax, play in the sand and hunt for seashells. (Sanibel boasts over 250 varieties!)

“It will make you feel like you’re in the islands…with all the American conveniences just a three-mile causeway ride away.”

Summer Happenings for the Kiddos

Every year it seems that there are more and more offerings on Sanibel and Captiva in the off-season for children. Here is a summary of some of the camps and special summer programs coming up:

BIG ARTS Summer Arts Camp - BIG ARTS is now accepting camper enrolments for its weekly “creative” sessions beginning in June. Camp runs Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning June 4 and running through July 27. Activities include acrylic painting, ceramics, dance, glass fusing, photography, puppetry, improvisational acting, music appreciation, film editing, folk art, and general arts and crafts. Middle and high school students have the option to attend camp solely as a student or select to participate in the fine arts apprentice program, spending half day as a student and the other half assisting instructors of K-5 classes. Tuition assistance is available too. For more info, stop by BIG ARTS at 900 Dunlop Road, call 395-0900, email info@BIGARTS.org, or log on at www.BIGARTS.org.

“Ding” Darling Brings Back Family Programs – June 4 through August 15 the JN “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge on Sanibel has free, fun programs designed especially for families. With support from the “Ding” Darling Wildlife Society – Friends of the Refuge (DDWS), the refuge is offering five free education programs this year. No pre-registration is necessary:

Natural Wonders, held every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 1 p.m. – What makes a bird a bird? Why is a manatee called a “sea cow”? Is it a crocodile or alligator? Find the answers to these questions and more by joining a naturalist in exploring the refuge’s unique eco-system. Geared for adults and children, this 30-minute program meets in the Education Center Lab.
Indigo Trail Hike, held every Tuesday at 10 a.m. – Join refuge naturalists as they lead a one-hour tour identifying and discussing the eco-system’s plants, animals, birds, and reptiles. Fun for adults and children alike. Bring water and bug spray. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Education Center.
Refuge Caravan Tour, held every Wednesday and Saturday at 9:30 a.m. Ride along on a car caravan tour of the refuge’s Wildlife Drive. This 90-minute tour highlights the natural wonders of the unique mangrove ecosystem and the wildlife that call it home. Meet at the flagpole in front of the Education Center.
Family Beach Walk, held every Thursday at 9 a.m. Back by popular demand and in partnership with the Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum, the program convenes at Gulfside City Park for a one-hour exploration of the refuge’s gulf-front Perry Tract. (City parking fees apply.)

For more info on the refuge summer programs, call 472-1100 or visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org.

Summer Day Camp at Sanibel Recreation Center – Summer day camp at the City of Sanibel Recreation Center begins on May 29. This year, the camp has 10 one-week sessions from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Children who are entering first through eighth grade may attend one week or more. More info at www.mysanibel.com/Departments/City-Manager-s-Office/News/Sign-Up-Now-For-Sanibel-Recreation-Department-Youth-Summer-Day-Camp.

Junior Sailing Camp at Captiva Island Yacht Club – Registration is now open for the 3rd season of the Junior Sailing Camp to be held at the Captiva Yacht Club. The program is open to children ages 8 to 18 of all experience levels. At the end of each 2-week session students will be able to sail a boat single-handedly, be certified in powerboat safety, if they choose, and properly handle a kayak. The 1st session is from July 9 to 20 and will be geared toward the beginning sailor. The 2nd session is July 16 to 27 and will be geared toward sailors who have had an introduction to sailing and want to learn more about racing and tuning the boat for speed. Each Friday, the program will have “Fun Fridays” including paddle boarding, kayaking, and a sailing outing. At the conclusion of each session, students will demonstrate their new skills at a Parents’ and Friends’ Day Luncheon held at the Club. Get more info, including qualifications, at 472-9627 or www.CaptivaIYC.net.

Florida in Top Five for Home Price Appreciation

An article posted on Florida Realtors® today, says:

“Tighter housing inventories are starting to lift home prices, says Anand Nallathambi, CoreLogic’s CEO. CoreLogic’s latest home price index, which includes distressed sales, shows a slight month-over-month nationwide increase of 0.6% in home prices from February to March. But some markets are seeing much more of a price boost this spring, including Florida, which ranked No. 5 overall for home price increases. “This spring, the housing market is responding to an improving balance between real estate supply and demand, which is causing stabilization in house prices,” says Mark Fleming, CoreLogic’s chief economist. “Although this has been the case in each of the last two years, the difference this year is that stabilization is occurring without the support of tax credits and in spite of a declining share of REO sales.”
“States with highest appreciation – According to CoreLogic, the following states had the highest appreciation in March (this includes distressed sales):
• Wyoming: +5.9%
• West Virginia: +5.3%
• Arizona: +5.1%
• North Dakota: +4.7%
• Florida: +4.5%
“States with biggest depreciation – Meanwhile, the states with the greatest depreciation, when also figuring in distressed sales, are:
• Delaware: -10.6%
• Illinois: -8.3%
• Alabama: -8%
• Georgia: -7.3%
• Nevada: -5.8%”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 4-11

Sanibel
CONDOS
No new listings.
7 price changes: Sundial #D412 1/1 now $315K, Pointe Santo #C4 1/1 now $494K, Kimball Lodge #263 1/1.5 now $496K, Pointe Santo #D24 2/2 now $655K, Pointe Santo #D35 2/2 now $679K, Oceans Reach #2D2 2/2 now $749K, Beachcomber #A101 2/2 now $1.495M.
4 new sales:. Captains Walk #D3 1/1 listed for $140K, Sundial #F407 1/1 listed for $297.5K, Pine Cove #102 3/2 listed for $879K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #4 3/3 listed for $948K.
5 closed sales: Coquina Beach #5A 2/2 $300K, Coquina Beach #4G 2/2 $385K, Tarpon Beach #104 2/2 $645K, Sayana #202 2/2 $825K, Sundial #T306 3/2 $900K.

HOMES
3 new listings: 1809 Bowman’s Beach Rd 3/2 $600K, 1405 Jamaica Dr 3/2.5 $659K, 2498 Harbour Ln 4/3 $995K.
2 price changes: 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 now $659.5K, 2964 Wulfert Rd 5/5.5 now $2.464M.
5 new sales: 1657 Sand Castle Rd 2/2 half-duplex listed for $349K, 533 Rabbit Rd 3/2 listed for $499.5K, 740 Durion Ct 3/2 listed for $599K, 1244 Par View Dr 4/3 listed for $858.9K, 926 Whelk 4/3 listed for $1.295M.
6 closed sales: 3812 Coquina Dr 3/2 $405K; 1417 Causey Ct 3/2 $525K; 215 Robinwood Cir 3/2 $590K; 231 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 $725K; 1735 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 $747,757; 440 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $885K.

LOTS
No new listings.
1 price change: 133 Butterknife Pl now $339K.
No new sales.
2 closed sales: 555 Piedmont Rd $140K (our listing), 1326 Junonia St $267K.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
1 price change: Gulf Beach Villas #2116 1/1 now $439K.
1 new sale: Bayside Villas #5234 1/2 listed for $315K.
No closed sales.

HOMES
No new listings or price changes.
1 new sale: 11512 Andy Rosse Ln 2/2 listed for $945K.
2 closed sales: 14981 Binder Dr 3/3 $824K, 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 $1.35M.

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 the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

The Islands Are Flowering Every Month, Including May

Posted on May 4, 2012 by SanibelSusan

It is the end of another glorious week of sunny weather on Sanibel. Traffic has subsided and the islands are thinning out, but surprisingly, business again was brisk for us this week. Here are a few news items, followed the Sanibel and Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service activity over the past seven days.

Here are some favorite island flowers to illustrate that with our Southwest Florida tropical weather, the islands of Sanibel and Captiva are colorful year-’round. Hope you like the one with the turtle.

No Realtor® Caravan This Week

Usually it is local “off season” signal when our Realtor® Caravans change from every Thursday to every other week. That off-season schedule began this week and probably will continue until November, or until business picks up again. Interestingly, for us at SanibelSusan Realty, however, this was another busy week.

I sold one of our lot listings to some European visitors, while an off-island Realtor® sold one of our condo listings. An offer on another condo is in the works, while our other two sales transactions (ready to close soon) are progressing well. All-in-all, it was another productive week, though unusual for this time of the year. All we can say is “keep it coming”.

Visit CROW’s New Visitor Center

On Monday evening, CROW (Clinic for Rehabilitation of Wildlife, Inc.) held an open house for island Realtors® at their new Healing Winds Visitor Center. Though I have been a long-time CROW member and supporter of this wonderful facility, it was my first opportunity to leisurely check out their new exhibits and talk to the new Hospital Director, Dr. Heather Barron. Dr. Heather joined their staff in January.

This special event was a follow-up to CROW Executive Director Steve Greenstein’s recent presentation to our Association membership. If you also have not recently visited CROW, please put it on your “do list”. I have some free passes to the Visitors Center and their daily (Tues through Sat) programs at 11 a.m. are continually changing as are the exhibits in the Center. Geared to educate adults and children alike, CROW’s offerings have greatly expanded during my 20 years on Sanibel as has their number of patients. If you plan to visit CROW during one of these 11 a.m. programs, consider a Friday, when they often have live animals in their cooperative presentation with partners from the Calusa Nature Center.

Is Florida’s Shadow Inventory a Rebound Threat?

This article was posted on Florida Realtors® on Tuesday. Note, the full report – The Distressed Property Market and Shadow Inventory in Florida: Estimates and Analysis – is available online.

“The term “shadow inventory” hangs over the real estate market, suggesting a thinly veiled catastrophe seen through the mist, just as the passengers of the Titanic watched an iceberg draw closer. However, a white paper written by Florida Realtors® Chief Economist Dr. John Tuccillo finds the fear of a shadow inventory overrated.
““The fear…is that the inventory of delinquent and foreclosed loans (will be released onto) an already weakened market,” says Tuccillo. “(But) the reality, even in Florida where distressed properties make up a significant portion of the market, appears to be different.” Tuccillo says lenders have no reason to flood the real estate market with more homes if doing so would drive prices down and impact the lender’s profit. While some observers worry that lenders were holding back on purpose, Tuccillo says that’s not so – that the large number of distressed properties on hold was “largely the result of confusion over the rules of the game, and thus missteps by the lenders.”
“In conducting an analysis, Florida Realtors® Research looked at data from MLSs around the state and data provided by CoreLogic, a statistical analysis company. “We looked at the recent history of distressed property listings and transactions relative to normal market data, as well as estimates for the shadow inventory, and came to some conclusions about the likely course (for the) future,” says Tuccillo.
“Conclusions
• Florida remains one of the nation’s hardest hit states for distressed property sales.
• Distressed property sales and listings have declined since late 2010, except for single-family-home short sales.
• Average prices for distressed and normal property sales have been stabilizing.
• In general, Realtors and lenders have learned how to cope with distressed properties in a way that stabilizes the market.
• Florida’s highest percentage of distressed property (compared to total listings) occurs in the I-4 corridor and Southeast Florida; the lowest percentages occur in Northwest Florida.
• Currently, Florida’s shadow inventory was 550,000 units at the end of 2011, a decline of about 9% from its peak in the first quarter of 2010.
• Currently, the flow of new seriously delinquent (90 days or more) loans moving into the shadow inventory is offset by the roughly equal flow of distressed sales (short sales and REOs).
• The number of foreclosures and REOs was significantly lower in February of 2012 than one year earlier, suggesting slower shadow inventory growth.
“Tuccillo predicts that distressed properties will be a significant feature of the Florida real estate market over the next ten years, but it will be considered just one property type a buyer can consider – one that has its own unique sales techniques and documentation.”

Update on Citizens (Wind) Property Insurance

An article in the Miami Herald on Tuesday offered the following:

“Citizens Seeks Fewer Customers, Higher Premiums – Citizens Property Insurance has some new ambitious goals: Move as many as 678,000 policyholders out of state-run insurance and once again become the “insurer of last resort.” Its strategy: Enact a flurry of policy changes that will undoubtedly raise premiums and reduce coverage for thousands. Citizens which unveiled the aggressive “depopulation” plan this month in a revised budget proposal, says it is doing so to prevent statewide financial havoc in the wake of a major hurricane. “Citizens has the ability to levy assessments (hurricane taxes) on almost all Florida policyholders in the event of a deficit after a storm,” spokeswoman Christine Ashburn said in an email. “The long term goal will continue to be returning policies to the private market, which is ultimately how we can reduce the reliance on assessments.”
“But some homeowners have already been impacted by the first wave of Citizens’ campaign to drastically reduce its size and shore up its finances. Patricia Temple, of Coral Gables, is bracing for a $2,150 premium increase this year, after Citizens sent an inspector to her home and decided her payments were too low. “I have to do what I have to do because I (can) not be without insurance,” said Temple, who is 79 and retired. “But I don’t understand how they can do this if the Legislature put in a 10% cap on rate increases.” Temple became a Citizens client after Liberty Mutual, her insurer of 50 years, dropped her. Though she says she has not made a property insurance claim in five decades, Citizens raised her rates by 50%.
“Stories like Temple’s are echoed by thousands of policyholders who say they’ve seen costs suddenly spike despite never making a claim or experiencing hurricane damage. Under a sweeping re-inspection program, Citizens has sent inspectors to 158,000 buildings in the last two years. As inspectors check roofs and windows, more often than not, they find something that translates into higher premiums, with an average increase of nearly $900. Another 209,000 inspections are scheduled for this year, and Citizens recently proposed a new $50,000 contract for a new study of wind mitigation credits. The study is likely to lead to premium increases, and Citizens board member John Rollins indicated the return on investment for the study would be measured in millions of dollars.
“Sean Shaw, founder of Policyholders of Florida, said that money will ultimately come out of the pocket of hard-working homeowners, who are paying more for less coverage. “People are at such a disadvantage when Citizens does this,” he said. “It’s like they’re treating people like data points.”
“Despite recent moves to reduce wind mitigation credits and raise rates on sinkhole coverage, Citizens has not experienced any significant reduction in size (the insurer swelled from 800,000 policies in 2007 to more than 1.4 million today). Citizens’ depopulation push will soon go into overdrive, with several hard-charging coverage changes set to kick in over the next 18 months. Ideally, Citizens would like to shrink by 45% to 794,308 policies in the very near future.
“With private insurers still wary about the Florida market, it’s not clear where 678,000 current policyholders will go for coverage when contracts end with Citizens. Citizens’ theory is that its artificially low rates discourage private insurers by making the market uncompetitive. It’s banking on more private insurers picking up the slack as it depopulates.
“Here are a few of the changes that begin Tuesday for Citizens policyholders:
• Homeowners who need to join Citizens will have to submit written proof that there is no private insurer able to provide affordable coverage for their home.
• Citizens will no longer offer Builders’ risk insurance for new homes.
• Coverage for carports, screened enclosures and fences will end for renewal policies.
• The personal liability coverage limit will decline from $300,000 to $100,000.
“The push to depopulate is set to intensify in the months ahead, and those with Citizens coverage can expect to be impacted by at least one of several policy changes being proposed. Among them:
• Uncapping rates for new policies, causing new policyholders to pay as much as 50% more than existing customers for similar coverage.
• Requiring new electrical and plumbing inspections for older homes.
• Requiring new inspections and likely higher premiums in sinkhole-prone counties.
• Increasing deductibles for “all other perils” coverage.
“Most of the changes are being enacted without the Legislature, which this year declined to pass major property insurance reform. With hurricane season set to begin in a month, Citizens says it must tamp down its level of risk in order to avoid financial calamity for all consumers. While the company has been able to build up a surplus of more than $6 billion during a 6-year streak without a major storm, financial models show that a large hurricane this year could wipe out those funds and other resources. That would lead to assessments for Citizens’ customers and potentially for all insurance policyholders in the state. That’s why the Citizens board of directors, with the support of Gov. Rick Scott, is trying to attract private insurers back into the market by shrinking Citizens as quickly as possible.
““It is important that Citizens work towards having adequate rates to reduce the likelihood of assessments on all Florida policyholders,” said Ashburn. Some say those private insurers are never coming back, particularly in the state’s high-risk areas where it doesn’t make financial sense to underwrite homes. “We’d all love to see the depopulation of Citizens, but guess what? The private companies are not coming back to this area,” Sen. Mike Fasano, R-New Port Richey, told Citizens’ executives last week. “Please, please, leave the people alone that are struggling.””

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 27- May 4

Sanibel

CONDOS

2 new listings: Sealoft Village #106 2/2 $559K, Compass Point #203 2/2 $599K.

10 price changes: Lighthouse Point #217 3/2 now $339K, Blind Pass #C110 2/2 now $399.9K, Sea Pines #D 3/3 now $469K, Sundial #I103 1/1 now $485K, Sea Pines #E 3/3 now $579K, Pelicans Roost #104 2/2 now $599.8K, Heron at The Sanctuary III #1B 3/2.5 now $615K, Heron at The Sanctuary II #2A 2/2.5 now $619K, Compass Point #181 2/3 now $997K, High Tide #B202 2/2 now $1.447.5M.

7 new sales: Sundial #B207 1/1 listed for $299K, Lighthouse Point #332 2/2 listed for $474K (our listing), Kings Crown #211 3/2 listed for $599K, Sand Pointe #132 2/2 listed for $599K, Tarpon Beach #101 2/2 listed for $619K, Tarpon Beach #104 2/2 listed for $679K, Nutmeg Village #108 2/2 listed for $795K.

11 closed sales: Seashells #29 2/2 $300K, Blind Pass #G201 2/2 $334K, Sundial #B402 1/1 $340K, Sundial #H402 2/2 $430K, Sanibel Arms West #J3 2/2 $400K, Sanibel Arms West #L6 2/2 $425K, Sealoft Village #108 2/2 $483K, Sand Pointe #211 2/2 $559.5K, Oceans Reach #1C1 2/2 $722.6K, Atrium #105 2/2 $945K, Junonia #301 3/2 $1.5M.

HOMES

6 new listings: 1649 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 half-duplex $415K; 2166 Egret Cir 3/2 $559,555; 740 Durion Ct 3/2 $599K; 673 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $629K; 1230 Par View Dr 3/2.5 $749,999; 919 Almas Ct 3/2.5 $1,199,999.

10 price changes: 1663 Bunting Ln 3/2 now $344K (short sale), 1702 Sand Pebble Way 3/2.5 now $399K, 490 Elizabeth Rd 2/2 now $413K, 940 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2.5 now $569K, 1271 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 now $609K, 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 now $667.5K, 1516 Angel Dr 3/2 now $899K, 5427 Osprey Ct 3/3.5 now $1.195M, 660 Anchor Dr 4/4 now $1.925M, 780 Birdie View Pt 5/4.5 now $1,999,999.

7 new sales: 1433 Jamaica Dr 5/4 duplex listed for $439K, 4210 Old Banyan Way 3/2 listed for $595K, 1208 Harbour Cottage Ct 3/3 half-duplex listed for $699K, 862 Beach Rd 3/2 listed for $999K, 1690 Sabal Palm Dr 4/3 listed for $1.595M, 5391 Shearwater Dr 3/3.5 listed for $1.649M, 3864 West Gulf Dr 4/5.5 listed for $2.188M.

6 closed sales: 1430 Sandpiper Cir 3/3 half-duplex $406K, 237 Daniel Dr 3/2 $522K, 2624 Coconut Dr 2/1 $656.7K, 1234 Seagrape Ln 3/2 $679K, 1537 Sand Castle Rd 4/3 $740K, 836 Sand Dollar Dr 3/2/2 $1.025M.

LOTS

No new listings.

4 price changes: 9211 Dimmick Dr now $137,555; 1894 Farm Trl now $283,555; 4636 Rue Royale now $659K; 6401 Pine Ave now $699K.

1 new sales: 1120 Olga Ave listed for $299K (our listing).

1 closed sale: 4077 Coquina Dr $215K.

Captiva

CONDOS

1 new listing: Gulf Beach Villas #2128 3/2 $895K.

1 price change: Captiva Bay Villas #D 3/3.5 now $2.995M.

No new sales.

1 closed sale: Lands End Village #1610 3/3 $1.8M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 11490 Dickey Ln 3/2 now $849K.

No new or closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Finishing Up a Busy April on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on April 27, 2012 by SanibelSusan

I am back from my week on the Ruby Princess and The SanibelSusan Team is busy – so much for thinking that the few weeks after Easter were going to be slow this year. The report below of the Multiple Listing Service action this week confirms that the islands are active.

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Dave and Lisa spent time yesterday at both our listing on Beach Road, accompanying a showing, and our listing on North Yachtsman Drive, which closed this morning. Posted above are a few photos that they snapped during those trips. Talk about glorious weather. For the past several days, the humidity has been under 40%, days in the low 80′s, and evening temperatures down into the high 50′s. Best April weather that I recall in my 20 years here!

When I attended a closing at Barrier Island Title this morning, the girls there remarked that they are staying late most evenings to stay up with the workload, with most of the incoming contracts being cash and quick closings (our favorite kind).

I just made a call to Island Condo Management for an update on some condominium documents and they said that they also are busy – their busiest April in years. Wow, let’s hope this continues. Maybe the buyers have gotten the word that the tide is turning on Sanibel and Captiva!

Here are a few news items, followed by the MLS report for the week:

75th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show

For those who were just hopping off a cruise ship last weekend – or otherwise busy – if you missed the CBS news segment on Sunday morning about Sanibel shelling, here is a link: http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7406198n&tag=contentMain;contentBody

Piping To Be Replaced in The Dunes Subdivision

I noticed an article in the “Island Sun” that said that Island Water Association, Inc. started working in The Dunes last week to replace the piping in that subdivision. Construction operations will take place on the north side of the subdivision between Albatross Road and The Dunes Clubhouse, starting near the clubhouse. The dates for other streets will be announced as construction progresses. To get more info, call 239-472-1502.

Final Farmer’s Market of the Season This Weekend

Can you believe that it has been four years since two island residents, Jean Baer and Betsy Ventura, brought the first farmer’s market to Sanibel? Offering vegetables, fruit, breads, flowers, plants, meats, seafood, sauces, dips, cheeses, jams, honey, treats, meals, and much more, the number of vendors varies each week from 30 to 40, including repeat and new vendors each year. The Sanibel Farmer’s Market operates each Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., from November to April at City Hall on Dunlop Road. The last one for this season is this weekend. We will miss them and already are looking forward to their return in November.

SanibelSusan’s Golden Rules for Dealing With Technology

Here's our office

As an old dog, always willing to learn a few news tricks, I try to embrace technology so that my business stays ahead of the curve. Thank goodness son Dave is a computer guru. He usually kicks and screams when we suggest social media; while the girls in the office, Elise, Lisa, and I enjoy the connectivity that this new technology brings. The changes that keep us connected today and improve our communication – from iPhones, iPads, texting, and the many features of Facebook, LinkedIn – remind me there are some rules that should not be forgotten. A recent article posted in the YPN (Young Professionals Network) Lounge at the National Association of Realtors® site concurs. (I like to read about what those Young Professionals are saying so I stay young too!)

Here are the three golden technology rules you can always count on from The SanibelSusan Team.

1) The client we are with is always our top priority. We do not use technology when we are in clients’ presence unless it is for them. We respect our clients, so you will not find The SanibelSusan Team reading messages, posting e-mails or texts, or handling routine business calls while we are with you.

2) We use technology for its intended use, not to do our dirty work. When a verbal communication can best relay a message, you will get a “real” phone call. When the written word is necessary to record an event, you will get that.

3) Grammar and spelling are important. My team knows that this is one of my pet peeves. They call me the boss with the “red pen”. If we think the correct use of hyphens is important, imagine how important it is that we “dot the i’s and cross the t’s” correctly in our contract work for you. Technology may provide us with better connectivity, but we will remain details-oriented.

Embracing technology is essential to today’s real estate arena; however, basic good manners and professionalism always will prevail when you work with The SanibelSusan Team.

Tarpon Tournament Update

The deadline to register for the “Ding” Darling & Doc Ford’s Tarpon Tournament is May 1st and 35 teams have already signed up. The tournament takes place on May 4th and 5th at Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fort Myers Beach and will benefit wildlife research and education at the refuge and will also benefit tarpon by rewarding participating anglers who perform DNA scrubs on their catches for genetics research before releasing them.

Mina Hemingway, former Sanibel resident, avid fisher, and granddaughter of Ernest Hemingway has joined the tournament. She will be flying in from Bozeman, Montana to fish with Sanibel Island Fishing Club members Rol Campbell (SanibelSusan’s neighbor), Tom Butcher and Charlie Sobczak (island Realtor® and author) aboard Charlie’s boat “Nine Lives”.

Celebrity author Randy Wayne White and TV fishing personalities captains Ozzie Fischer and Ozzie Lessinger also are listed among the teams signed up for the catch-and release tournament. White, a former Sanibel fishing guide, also will preside over a “Kangaroo Court” during the awards ceremony that follows the tournament.

Did you know that this fishing tradition began in 1885 with the first tarpon ever caught on rod-and-reel right here at the “Ding” Darling Refuge in Tarpon Bay? Some islanders have even delayed their return trips to their northland homes, so that they can fish in the tournament this year. Good luck, Bruce!

Interested fishing teams can resister at www.dingdarlingtarpontourney.com or by calling 239-472-1100 ext. 4.

March Pending Home Sales Rise, Market Recovering

Here is a “positive” press release issued yesterday:

“Pending home sales increased in March and are well above a year ago, another signal the housing market is recovering, according to the NAR (National Association of Realtors®).

The Pending Home Sales Index,* a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, rose 4.1% to 101.4 in March from an upwardly revised 97.4 in February and is 12.8% above March 2011 when it was 89.9. The data reflects contracts but not closings.

“The index is now at the highest level since April 2010 when it reached 111.3.

“Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, said 2012 is expected to be a year of recovery for housing. “First quarter sales closings were the highest first quarter sales in five years. The latest contract signing activity suggests the second quarter will be equally good,” he said. “The housing market has clearly turned the corner. Rising sales are bringing down inventory and creating much more balanced conditions around the county, which means home prices will be rising in more areas as the year progresses,” Yun said.

The PHSI in the Northeast slipped 0.8% to 78.2 in March but is 21.1% above March 2011. In the Midwest the index declined 0.9% to 93.3 but is 16.9% higher than a year ago. Pending home sales in the South rose 5.9% to an index of 114.1 in March and are 10.6% above March 2011. In the West the index increased 8.7% in March to 108.0 and is 9.0% above a year ago.

“The National Association of Realtors®, “The Voice for Real Estate,” is America’s largest trade association, representing 1 million members involved in all aspects of the residential and commercial real estate industries.

“*The Pending Home Sales Index is a leading indicator for the housing sector, based on pending sales of existing homes. A sale is listed as pending when the contract has been signed but the transaction has not closed, though the sale usually is finalized within one or two months of signing. The index is based on a large national sample, typically representing about 20% of transactions for existing-home sales. In developing the model for the index, it was demonstrated that the level of monthly sales-contract activity parallels the level of closed existing-home sales in the following two months. An index of 100 is equal to the average level of contract activity during 2001, which was the first year to be examined as well as the first of five consecutive record years for existing-home sales; it coincides with a level that is historically healthy.

“Information about NAR is available at www.realtor.org. News releases are posted in the website’s “News and Commentary” tab. Statistical data in this release, as well as other tables and surveys, are posted in the “Research and Statistics” tab of www.realtor.org.

“REALTOR® is a registered collective membership mark which may be used only by real estate professionals who are members of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and subscribe to its strict Code of Ethics. Not all real estate agents are REALTORS®. All REALTORS® are members of NAR.”

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity April 20-27

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Blind Pass #B101 2/2 $449K, Pointe Santo #C24 1/1 $459K, Shell Island Beach Club #7A 2/2 $710K, Seascape #302 3/3.5 $1.349M.

2 price changes: Seawind #A103 2/2.5 now $450K, Sea Pines #D 3/3 now $489K.

3 new sales: Snug Harbor #311 2/2 listed for $459K, Tarpon Beach #104 2/2 listed for $679K, Sundial #T207 2/2 listed for $849K.

5 closed sales: Island Beach Club #320F 2/2 $410K, Sandalfoot #3D1 2/2 $430K, Sandalfoot #4C2 2/2 $455K, Kings Crown #104 2/2 $565K, Gulfside Place #116 3/3 $1.505M.

HOMES

4 new listings: 1415 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex $329K, 960/964 Palm St 3/3 $379.9K, 1536 Bunting Ln 3/2 $442.5K, 1574 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $549K.

10 price changes: 966 Fitzhugh St 2/1 now $337K; 1610 Sabal Sands Rd 3/2 now $489.9K; 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 now $670.5K; 4996 Joewood Dr now $760K; 4960 Joewood Dr 4/3 now $769.9K; 1807 Buckthorn Ln 3/2.5 now $779.9K; 4781 Tradewinds Dr 3/2 now $1.695M; 553 Lighthouse Way 4/4 now $1.795M; 1232 Isabel Dr 3/3 now $1,999,999; 568 Lighthouse Way 4/4.5 now $2.4M.

2 new sales: 5230 Caloosa End Ln 4/3 listed for $996K, 2564 Wulfert Rd 5/5 listed for $2.298.5M.

6 closed sales: 555 Chert Ct 3/2 $350K, 525 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 $467.5K, 1284 Par View Dr 2/2 $516K, 542 North Yachtsman Dr 2/2 $630K (our listing & sale), 3061 Poinciana Cir 3/2 $650K, 1331 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 $725K.

LOTS

2 new listings: 412 Tiree Cir $375,555; Island Inn Rd $1,350,555.

1 price change: 568 Lighthouse Way now $1.3M.

No new sales.

2 closed sales: 1594 Century Ct $129.9K, 1299 Par View Dr $187K.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings or price changes.

4 new sales: Beach Villas #2516 1/1 listed for $449K; Beach Villas #2517 1/1 listed for $499,950; Captiva Shores #5D 2/2 listed for $768.8K; Beach Homes #13 3/3 listed for $2.475M.

2 closed sales: Captiva Shores #6B 2/2 $675K, Lands End Village #1628 3/3 $1.55M.

HOMES

No new listings, price changes, or new sales.

1 closed sale: 16185 Captiva Dr 4/4 $1.2M.

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 the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

From the Caribbean to Sanibel Island

Posted on April 21, 2012 by SanibelSusan

While SanibelSusan has been vacationing in the Caribbean this week aboard the Ruby Princess, the rest of the SanibelSusan Team - Dave, Elise, and Lisa – have been busy getting a couple of our listings sold. Sure wish I had known that it would take going out of town to make that happen. Maybe I should do it more often.

The blog today is coming a day late and via satellite as the ship is returning to Ft Lauderdale from Grand Turk. The internet service is sketchy at best so it is terrific to have the team to rely on. This week, in addition to going to a home inspection, accompanying showings, making appointments, and putting properties under contract, the team has been working on an 3000+piece mailing. We are looking for more “home” listings. Well-priced Sanibel homes continues to be the product that is moving best!

Earth Day

This weekend, JN “Ding” Darling Refuge will celebrate the 42nd anniversary of Earth Day in partnership with Ding Darling Wildlife Society-Friends of the Refuge and Tarpon Bay Explorers. They will have activities for all ages. For more information on Earth Day at the Refuge visit www.dingdarlingsociety.org.

Snowy Plovers on Hatchday

On Monday, April 23rd, the San-Cap Conservation Foundation will celebrate 10 years of protecting Sanibel’s nesting snowy plovers on island beaches. All are invited to the party on the porch at the SCCF Nature Center. There will be a Hatchday cake and refreshments. You can even “adopt-a-plover” to support the program. In addition, attendees can take part in a raffle drawing for the “Plover Twins” etched vase by Luc Century.

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity April 13-20:

Sanibel

CONDOS

No new listings.

6 price changes: Sundial #C110 1/1 now $299K, Seawind #104 2/2.5 now $464.9K, Cyprina Beach #9 3/2.5 now $599K, Kings Crown #313 2/2 now $649K, Yacht Haven #2 3/2 now $829.9K, Seascape #105 3/3 now $1.995M.

7 new sales: Colonnades #C55 1/1 listed for $169K, Tennisplace #A26 2/1.5 listed for $325K, Blind Pass #G201 2/2 listed for $349K, Sanibel Arms #C1 2/2 listed for $408K, Cottage Colony West #138 1/1 listed for $559K, Sandalfoot #1C2 2/2 listed for $598K, Tarpon Beach #301 2/2 listed for $749K.

4 closed sales: Ibis at The Sanctuary #301 2/2 $350K, Sundial #0201 2/2 $447K, Sandalfoot #3C3 2/2 $509K, Sanibel Surfside #234 2/2 $600K.

HOMES

3 new listings: 2134 Egret Cir 3/2 half-duplex $399K, 1203 Isabel Dr 2/3 $1.495M, 1525 San Carlos Bay Dr 3/2 $2.195M.

10 price changes: 1854 Farm Trl 3/2 now $610K, 1477 Albatross Rd 4/3 now $624.5K, 1350 Tahiti Dr 3/2 now $629K, 1233 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 now $675.9K, 5864 Pine Tree Dr 3/3.5 now $829K, 916 Beach Rd 4/3 now $899K (our listing), 2749 Wulfert Rd 3/3.5 now $995K, 2969 Wulfert Rd 6/6/2 now $2.999M, 1310 Seaspray Ln 5/4.5 now $3.395M, 3705 West Gulf Dr 5/5/2 now $3.75M.

4 new sales: 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 listed for $399K, 2210 Camino Del Mar 3/2 listed for $539K, 542 N Yachtsman Dr 2/2 listed for $699K (our listing), 3401 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed for $4.788M.

4 closed sales: 280 Southwinds Dr 3/3.5 $505K, 1240 Middle Gulf Dr 3/2 $711K, 654 Kinzie Island Ct 6/4/2 $1.94M, 3805 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $4.013M.

LOTS

1 new listing: 455 Ponce De Leon Rd $190K.

No price changes.

1 new sale: 555 Piedmont Rd listed for $149K (our listing).

No closed sales.

Captiva

CONDOS

No new listings.

1 price change: Marina Villas #603 2/2 now $520K.

2 new sales: Marina Villas #901 2/2 listed for $495K, Bayside Viilas 3/3 listed for $599K.

3 closed sales: Marina Villas #610 2/2 $507.5K, Bayside Villas #4319 3/3 $505K, Beach Homes #15 4/3 $1.9M.

HOMES

No new listings.

1 price change: 53 Sandpiper Ct 2/2.5 now $669K.

2 new sales: 11521 Wightman Ln 4/3 listed for $1.549M, 16730 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 listed for $4.95M.

1 closed sale: 28 Urchin Ct 2/2 $745K.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Waiting for Spring Showers on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on April 13, 2012 by SanibelSusan

Osprey nest in Sanibel Highlands

We are officially in the “almost” off-season with island traffic getting lighter by the day all week. The ride from the office to the toll bridge is back to15-20 minutes, rather than the hour plus that it sometimes takes in February and March. Though a couple of the New England states have visitors arriving for spring breaks, a few slow business weeks are expected until schools are out for the summer and those longer vacations begin.

Dave and I were out looking at a house in Sanibel Highlands this week & noticed the above osprey nest. Look closely and you can see the bird. There is lots of activity in these nests this time of the year. Fun to watch!

SanibelSusan had lunch yesterday with a pal who runs the rental division at VIP Vacation Rentals and he told me that they are ahead of their 2011 bookings for May and into the summer (probably thanks again to Frommer’s high rating), but he concurred that the rest of April is expected to be fairly quiet.

Here are a few island news items, followed by the week’s Multiple Listing Service activity.

Captiva Nominated for Restored Beaches Award

Photo of Captiva beach from Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service.

In celebration of the Best Restored Beaches Award’s 10th anniversary in 2012, the American Shore and Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) is requesting your votes to help them identify the Best of the Best Restored Beaches. Captiva is among the nominees in the category – Community Beaches. You may vote once per day between now and Friday, April 27, on-line at www.asbpa.org. Voters may also leave a comment about what makes their favorite beach so special to them.

Shell Museum Now in Reciprocal Membership Program

Along with The Bailey-Matthews Shell Museum announcing its recent inclusion into the North American Reciprocal Museums Program, the museum now also announces its participation in the Southeastern Reciprocal Membership Program (SERM). This means if you join the museum at the $50 level or above, you automatically become a member of SERM which entitles you to free admission as well as program, lecture, and store discounts and other benefits at nearly 100 museums in 15 states. Some of the participating Florida institutions include Art Center Sarasota, Orlando Museum of Art, and Tampa Museum of Art. To see a list of participating museums, visit the membership page at www.shellmuseum.org.

3rd Annual Shell Museum Oyster Eating Contest

Team from Doc Ford's Restaurant with author Randy Wayne White at the 2011 Oyster-Eating Contest with our pal, Cindy Porter, who made a grand entrance & then gave it a noble try. (That's Laurie in the back on the stilts.)

In other Shell Museum news, a fundraiser for them is coming up on Saturday, April 21, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Timbers Restaurant and Fish Market. Although the contest is the main attraction, the event includes food and drinks from The Timbers, plus shell crafting, face painting for the kids, and a raffle for a Lily & Co. watch. Last year, there were 23 contestants with the winner downing four dozen oysters. For sponsorships or to participate as a contestant, go to www.shellmuseum.org.

U.S. Visa Programs

There was a good article in the new FloridaRealtors® magazine this month that covered some of the same information that I learned when I was in Orlando in January attending the meeting of our state Resort and Second Home Specialist Forum. Important info for those expanding into the international real estate market and worth sharing:

“Understand U.S. Visa Programs

“Since one of the issues facing international buyers is the amount of time they can spend in Florida, it’s important to understand current and pending U.S. visa programs. In general, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) encourages foreign visitation and foreign investment, but imposes strict rules and requirements that vary from country to country….look at the USCIS website, uscis.gov, or …speak with an immigration attorney.

“In recent years, many international investors have taken advantage of the EB-5 visa program, which is designed to stimulate the U.S. economy through job creation and capital investment. A foreign national who invests $1 million directly into a business that creates at least 20 jobs or invests $500,000 in a regional center that creates new jobs can get a green card and become a permanent U.S. resident.

“The U.S. Congress is now considering the VISIT-USA Act, which is designed to make it easier for some foreign nationals to obtain visas. Called Visa Improvements to Stimulate International Tourism to the United States of America (S.1746), the act has several important provisions including:

“Home purchases. The bill creates a nonimmigrant visa, renewable every three years, for an individual who spends at least $500,000 to purchase single-family homes in the United States. At least $250,000 must be spent on a primary residence where the visa holder will reside for at least 180 days out of the year while paying taxes to the U.S.

Canadian tourism. A new “Canadian retiree visa” (nonimmigrant visa) would be created that would last 240 days and be renewable every three years for Canadians over age 50 who have visited the United States or own a U.S. residence.

Premium visa process. Visitors could pay a higher visa-processing fee in order to receive a visa interview within three business days, reducing long wait times in countries like Brazil and China.

Videoconference pilot program. A secure videoconferencing pilot program would be authorized for conducting visa interviews, making it easier for applicants to obtain a U.S. visa. Currently, an in-person interview is required.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 6-13:

Deeded beach access path for Sanibel River Estates

Sanibel

CONDOS
3 new listings: Captains Walk #D5 2/1 $224.9K, Tennisplace #B32 2/1 $254K, Spanish Cay #F6 1/1 $299K.
3 price changes: Blind Pass #D205 2/2 now $296.5K, Lighthouse Point #217 3/2 now $349K, Ibis at The Sanctuary #A102 2/2 now $399K.
6 new sales: Sundial #G207 1/1 listed for $245.9K, Mariner Pointe #1043 2/2 listed for $299.9K (our listing), Tarpon Beach #308 2/2 listed for $615K, Kings Crown #215 2/2 listed for $669.9K, Sayana #202 2/2 listed for $849K, Sundial #K208 2/2 listed for $890K.
3 closed sales: Sundial #C204 1/1 $250K, Mariner Pointe #142 2/2 $380K, Sundial #T403 2/2 $485K.

HOMES
3 new listings: 744 Martha’s Ln 2/2 $459K, 591 Boulder Dr 4/3 $629K, 1274 Par View Dr 3/3 $674K.
5 price changes: 9440 Begonia Ct 3/2 now $499.9K, 1507 Angel Dr 3/2 now $699K, 1244 Par View Dr 4/3 now $858.9K, 1102 Harbour Cottage Ct 3/2 now $1.384M, 1520 Angel Dr 3/3 now $1.598M.
5 new sales: 3812 Coquina Dr 3/2 listed for $425K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 4/3 listed for $495K, 1750 Dixie Beach Blvd 3/2.5 listed for $549K (short sale), 4570 Bowen Bayou Rd 2/2 listed for $699K, 4630 Rue Bayou 4/4.5 listed for $1.249M.
3 closed sales: 661 Cardium St 2/1.5 $325K, 733 Durion Ct 3/2 $550K, 927 Limpet Dr 3/3 $645K (foreclosure).

LOTS
1 new listing: 218 Violet Dr $579,975.
3 new sales: 2418 Blue Crab Ct listed for $164.9K, 4077 Coquina Dr listed for $224.9K, 2251 Starfish Ln listed for $339K.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 2423 Blue Crab Ct $220K.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings, price changes, or new sales.
2 closed sales: Tennis Villas #3219 1/1 $210K, Sunset Beach Villas #2323 1/1 $414K.

HOMES
1 new listing: 15172 Wiles Dr 14/10 mulit-family $10.9M.
4 price changes: 11521 Wightman Ln 4/3 now $1.549M, 11523 Wightman Ln 4/4 now $1.565M, 15009 Binder Dr 4/5.5 now $3.695M, 15747 Captiva Dr 5/6.5 now $7.995M.
No new or closed sales.

LOTS
Nothing to report.

Easter Week on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on April 6, 2012 by SanibelSusan

SanibelSusan Realty had a busy week with good showing activity on our listings until yesterday when the phones nearly stopped ringing. Even our Realtor Caravan Meeting early that morning had poor attendance. Only three new listings were on the tour, which usually has 15 properties

Our pals at other local real estate offices report the same. Folks must be busy traveling or with holiday plans – almost feels like it usually is here two weeks after Easter, rather than the week before. Season has wound down quickly.

Below are a few island news items, followed by the Multiple Listing Service postings this week on Sanibel and Captiva Islands.

Though the islands are winding down from a busy winter season, for those who like to visit during the “best” time, we locals say that is during May and October, when the traffic is light and the weather is perfect! Make your reservations now. Or better yet, come to buy!

Quick Weather Update

This morning brought our first good shower in what seems like months. Much needed rain that hopefully will green things up and keep the dust down on those sandy island roads. The weather forecast through the end of next week is for mostly sunny days with temperature in the low 80′s.

Easter Weekend Happenings

Spring Festival at Sanibel Community Park – tomorrow (Sat April 7) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., right across the street from SanibelSusan Realty. This annual event is presented by The Children’s Education Center of the Islands.
Easter Egg Hunt at Sanibel Community Church – at 1740 Periwinkle Way, next to Jerry’s Market, also tomorrow (Sat) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. It’s for children ages three years through 5th grade.
Sunrise Service on the Causeway - 6:30 a.m. Easter Sunday, bring your lawn chair. Many island churches have posted special holiday services too. You can find full schedules on the “Island Sun” newspaper on-line at www.islandsunnews.com
Easter Egg Hunt at Island Inn - at 3111 West Gulf Drive, on Easter Sunday beginning at 11 a.m. on the south side of the front office building, and will end once all 500 eggs are found. As the first inn on Sanibel, Island Inn has hosted families for Easter since 1895 and the tradition continues. Open to all children, 12 and under, the hunt also includes three golden eggs with special prizes inside. Miss Silvia also will be on hand to do complimentary face painting for children. www.IslandInnSanibel.com

Taxing Issues

Recent prospective buyers asked about the differences between annual and season rentals. According to local lingo, annual rentals are usually for a year, while a seasonal rental is for a period of less than six months. The April issue of FloridaRealtor® magazine contains the following article about the taxing obligations of owners of these investment-type properties:

“Will state sales tax need to be collected and paid on short-term rentals?

“The situation: A homeowner has two properties in Florida: a single-family home and a condominium. He wants to rent out one or both of them, but is unsure whether or not he’ll be required to collect and pay state sales tax.

“That depends on how many months of the year the property is rented, says the Florida Realtors® Legal Hotline. Generally the rental of residential property, such as a single-family home or condominium, is exempt from taxation. This exemption applies when there is a bona fide, written lease agreement that is for longer than six months. If the lease agreement is written for six months or less, the rental is considered a transient accommodation and is subject to sales tax. If there is no bona fide, written lease agreement, the rental is also considered a transient accommodation, and the first six months of continuous occupancy is subject to sales tax. Exemptions exist for rentals to migrants in labor camps, to certain military personnel and to full-time students.

“The state sales tax rate is 6% and many counties impose a sales tax surcharge as well. The tax is due on rental charges or room rates paid for the right to use or occupy living or sleeping accommodations. Rental charges include any amount imposed for the use of items or services required to be paid as a condition of the use or possession of the accommodation.

“In addition, most Florida counties impose a local tax on short-term residential rentals. Contact the Florida Department of Revenue (DOR) or your local county taxing agency to determine whether your county has a short-term rental tax and, if so, how it should be reported and paid.

“If you’re the owner of a rental that’s considered a transient accommodation or if you’re a real estate licensee who collects or receives rent on behalf of the owner for a rental that’s considered a transient accommodation, you must register with the DOR before you begin your activities; otherwise, you may be subject to penalties.

“For more information regarding the sales tax on transient accommodations and procedures for registering with the DOR, contact the agency at (800) 352-3671 or www.myflorida.com/dor “

(In Lee County, a Tourist Development Tax of 5% also is imposed on rentals for a period of less than six months. That brings the total tax up to 11%. Get more info on the Sanibel and Captiva local County tax at www.leeclerk.org )

Coastal Zone Protection Change Benefits Resorts

Sanibel City Council on Tuesday passed an ordinance amending the coastal zone protection section of the Sanibel Plan that allows resort accessory uses such as swimming pools to be repaired or replaced in their existing location and size even when they are entirely or partly beyond the coastal construction setback line (CCSL). This was the final piece in a long process to allow Sanibel’s aging resorts and hotels to modernize and remain attractive to tourists without losing amenities or units. Those built years ago do not conform to stricter regulations enacted after Sanibel incorporated. Council policy is that short-term accommodations are crucial to the island’s tourism-based economy. This proviso regarding replacement is only valid if there is no other site available and it does not allow for new development beyond the CCSL.

Springtime & Baby Birds

A client forwarded the below links. They are web cams to two bird nests posted by Cornell University’s Lab of Ornithology. One is a red-tail hawk and the other a blue heron. With eggs in both nests, it is fun to check them periodically to see these spring happenings.

Lots of Sanibel bird nests already have young in them too.

Next we will see the beaches marked with the nests of our local shore birds. Photo above was taken on Sanibel’s east-end last May. It is a snowy plover mom with three babies following behind her.

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=2422 Link to red tail hawk nest cam

http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=2433 Link to blue heron nest cam

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 30 – April 6

Sanibel

CONDOS

4 new listings: Tennisplace #C31 2/1.5 $279K, Sandpebble #1F 2/2 $356K, Spanish Cay #A6 1/1 $289.6K, Sanctuary Heron III #1B 3/2.5 $624K.

3 price changes: Colonnades #12 1/1 now $159.5K, Tarpon Beach #308 2/2 now $615K, Oceans Reach #2D2 2/2 now $760K.

7 new sales: Sanibel Shores #E 2/2 listed for $279K; Sundial #F408 1/1 listed for $299K; Sanibel Arms West #J1 2/2 listed for $439K, #J3 2/2 listed for $459K, & #L6 2/2 listed for $469K; Sundial #Q402 2/2 listed for $599K & #T404 2/2 listed for $669K.

5 closed sales: Sundial #B301 1/1 $269K, Sanibel Arms #G2 1/1 $395K, Sanibel Inn #3534 2/2 $450K, Pine Cove #303 2/2 $880K, Plantation Village #B122 3/3 $1.7M.

HOMES

3 new listings: 1297 Par View Dr 3/2 $799K, 1555 San Carlos Bay Dr 2/2.5 $999K, 829 Tulip Ln 5/4.5 $2.495M.

10 price changes: 2066 Wild Lime Dr 2/1 now $349.9K, 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $399K, 1429 Jamaica Dr 4/3 now $495K, 9454 Calla Ct 3/2 now $597K, 9319 Kincaid Ct 3/2 now $599K, 1271 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 now $629K, 228 Hurricane Ln 3/2.5 now $725K, 4518 Bowen Bayou Rd 4/4 now $759K, 1244 Par View Dr 4/3 now $868.9K, 4701 Rue Belle Mer 4/4 now $2.365M.

2 new sales: 1417 Causey Ct 3/2 listed for $544K, 1308 Tahiti Dr 3/3 listed for $699K.

5 closed sales: 1427 Sandpiper Cir 2/2 half-duplex $300K, 535 Piedmont Rd 3/2 $347.5K, 565 East Rocks Dr 3/2 $429K, 207 Daniel Dr 3/2 $541.75K, 9020 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 $687K.

LOTS

1 new listing: 3037 Poinciana Cir $239.5K.

4 price changes: 4077 Coquina Dr now $224.9K, 9042 Mockingbird Dr now $329K, 2263 Starfish Ln now $549K, 2299 Starfish Ln now $599K.

2 new sales: 1326 Junonia St listed for $279K, 2423 Blue Crab Ct listed for $329.9K.

3 closed sales: 2285 Wulfert Rd 150K, 604 Boulder Dr $250K, 0 Camino Del Mar $310K (our sale).

Captiva

CONDOS

2 new listings: Marina Villas #903 2/2 $620K, Lands End #1602 2/2 $1.28M.

No price changes.

1 new sale: Lands End Village #1628 3/3 listed for $1.675M.

1 closed sale: Seabreeze #1251 3/3 $1.48M.

HOMES

1 new listing: 15166 Wiles Dr 3/2 $3.895M.

2 price changes: 11521 Laika Ln 3/3 now $1.399M, 11515 Murmond Ln 2/3 now $1.749M.

2 new sales: 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 listed for $1.495M, 16585 Captiva Dr 5/4/2 listed for $2.3M (short sale).

No closed sales.

LOTS

Nothing to report.

Happy Easter from The SanibelSusan Team!

Sanibel & Captiva Islands Are Busy, Even Though Snowbirds Are Beginning to Fly Away

Posted on March 30, 2012 by SanibelSusan

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

For those island lovers who also enjoy the work of our professional photographer, Jim Anderson, with JMA Photography. The above slide show is composed of photos from his last book “Sanibel & Captiva – Our Islands in The Sun”. Jim films all of SanibelSusan’s listings and prepares our streaming videos. See more of his work at www.DiscoverSanibelandCaptiva.com

What’s Happening on the Islands This Week

Beachfront at Pointe Santo

We now are into the two weeks that typically are the busiest on Sanibel and Captiva Islands (other than Christmas/New Years). Many accommodations have turn-overs tomorrow with full occupancy expected until Easter Sunday. That means that many Realtors® will be out scurrying tomorrow between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. (when renters depart and before the new guests arrive). This time of the year that is often the only time that we can show investment-rental-type condos, photograph new listings and prepare inventories. Since tomorrow also happens to be the end of the month, there will be turn-over in rental homes too. Will make for a fun Saturday, as showings are best when properties are put back together, and cleaners are doing their magic during that short 5-hour window too. Just one of our local rental organizations has over 400 turn-overs tomorrow. Imagine the number of sheets and towels involved in that exercise!

SanibelSusan’s listing had good activity this week and I was out showing mostly homes yesterday and again today to some folks who have been following my blog for the last year. Love it when marketing works!

Controlled Fire Planned at The Refuge Tomorrow

Sometimes island visitors are surprised to see a fire at J. N. “Ding” Darling Wildlife Refuge and are not aware that a fire there may be willfully set. Notice was given this week that tomorrow, March 31 the Refuge will be conducting the 2nd controlled burn at the botanical site to reduce the likelihood of catastrophic fires and to help preserve the national ecology of the area. Purposefully setting and controlling fires can prevent wild land fires. This technique, often called, “prescribed fire” will reduce the amount of dried vegetation or potential fuel. Here’s a link to more info about controlled burns and a map of the prescribed fire area, http://www.dingdarlingsociety.org/article256.htm

Top Markets for International Home Buyers

An article posted in Daily Real Estate News this week spoke favorably of our local Southwest Florida area. It said in part: “Foreign buyers are being lured by the bargain prices in American real estate. So which markets are the most attractive to these international buyers? Florida continues to be the most popular destination among foreign home buyers, but other states are attracting more foreign interest as well. More than half – 58% – of international sales in 2011 came from these four states alone: Florida (31%), California (12%), Texas (9%), and Arizona (6%), according to National Association of Realtors® data. Inman News recently identified the individual markets where foreign buyers make up the biggest share of home buyers. Among the top markets to make the list:

Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL

Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL

Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL

North Point-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL

Miami-Fort Lauderdale-Pompano Beach, FL

Phoenix-Mesa-Glendale, AZ

New York County, NY (Manhattan)

Honolulu, HI

“See which other real estate markets topped the list, along with more information about the study, at Inman News (http://www.inman.com/reports/global-buyers “10 Hot Spots for Global Homebuyers.”

Have Home Prices Finally Reached Bottom?

Last Friday’s Daily Real Estate News posted these predictions from HousingWire: ““Prices are bottoming now,” according to a Bank of America Merrill Lynch forecast, released this week. In the fall, the analysts had predicted home prices would drop by 8% from the second quarter of 2011 through the first quarter of 2013 — but now they’re revising that forecast, realizing the housing market is stabilizing faster than they originally thought. The analysts now predict that prices will remain flat for the next two years, as the excess foreclosure inventory is absorbed. They then expect to see a pickup in home prices by 2014. And in the long-term, they see a big rise in housing prices. From 2012 through 2020, analysts forecast a cumulative growth of 42% in home prices (at 4% on an annualized basis).”

Realtor® – Just to Set the Record Straight

It has always been a SanibelSusan pet peeve to hear the word Realtor® mispronounced. You have probably heard it too, when some folks say “Real-A-tor”. One of our local attorneys sometimes says it that way just to get my goat. The actual pronunciation is “Reel-tor”, like a fishing reel. Here is some other information that you also may not know about the word: Realtor® is not a job title and it does not identify the services provided or tasks performed by a licensee. Instead, Realtor® identifies a person’s status as a member of the local, state, and national associations and their commitment to conduct their business whether as a real estate agent, commercial broker, property manager, appraiser, or other real estate specialty, in accordance with the obligations of membership, abiding to the Realtor® Code of Ethics. The term is trademarked.

How Important Is the Kitchen

It is amazing how many times I have seen a Buyer turn away from a property because a kitchen is dated or not appealing. A recent article in our monthly Realtor® magazine listed “five low-cost kitchen redos that buyers will love.

“1. Hardware – Replacing cabinet hardware, such as handles, knobs, and hinges is quick. According to HouseLogic.com, an average kitchen is 200 square feet with 30 linear feet of cabinetry, which equates to about 40 handles and knobs. Averaging between $2 and $20 per knob or pull, a home owner can expect to spend from $80 to $800 for this enhancement.

2. Faucet – There are a myriad of options today in terms of height, spouts, pullout hoses, and folding necks, with quality faucets starting at around $200.

3. Lighting – Adding an LED under-cabinet light can have a dramatic effect for about $40.

4. Organization – Buyers today choose functionality over elaborate decoration, says Jamie Goldberg, a National Kitchen and Bath Association certified designer. Practical storage in the kitchen will go a long way. Over-the-door hooks, baskets in the pantry, drawer organizers, wall hooks for pots and pans, and stackable shelves for cabinets will add appeal, typically for less than $100.

5. Countertops – Laminate can mimic the contemporary look of granite at a significant discount. The cost for an average kitchen with 30 linear feet of laminate countertop is roughly $1,575; the same space in granite would be $2,400.”

Four Home Technologies for Energy Efficiency

Home owners may shave $200 to $400 off their energy bills annually while increasing the long-term value of their property, by employing these high-tech tips posted in Realtor® magazine, by The National Association of Home Builders:

“1. Automated HVAC Systems – Programmable thermostats can save consumers about $180 year in energy costs, according to Energy Star. Automated systems can be set to reduce consumption when residents are out and to create heating and cooling zones in a home – a guest bedroom, for instance, might not always need the same level of heat or cooling as the living room.

2. Water Heaters – Tank-less gas water heaters turn on when residents start using hot water and turn off when they’re done, which can reduce water heating cost up to 35% annually. Water heaters that have a timer can be programmed to turn off when the home owner is away.

3. Lighting – Automatic dimmers will adjust lighting based on the time of day, which is extremely beneficial for exterior lighting.

4. Blinds & Drapes – Automated blinds are an eco-savvy development in window treatments. Program shades to close during the hottest part of the day in summer and to let sun in during winter.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 23-30

Sanibel
CONDOS
No new listings.
11 price changes: Captains Walk #D3 1/1 now $140K, Sundial #C110 1/1 now $323.9K, Blind Pass #B102 2/2 now $389K, Snug Harbor #311 2/2 now $467K, Sunset South #1B 2/2 now $549K, Pelicans Roost #104 2/2 now $625K, Loggerhead Cay #121 2/2 now $725K, Sundial #T207 2/2 now $849K, White Pelican #111 2/2 now $1.045M, Compass Point #181 2/3 now $1.049M, Ferry Landing #1 2/2 now $1.295M.
5 new sales: Sundial #F408 1/1 listed for $299K, Sanibel Arms West #K3 2/2 listed for $399K, Sandalfoot #4C2 2/2 listed for $489K, Oceans Reach #1C1 2/2 listed for $775K, Atrium #105 2/2 listed for $990K.
4 closed sales: Tennisplace #C21 2/1.5 $228K (short sale), Blind Pass #B202 2/2 $340K, White Caps South #2 1/1 $450K, Pointe Santo #C35 3/2 $700K.

HOMES
8 new listings: 6138 Castaways Ln 3/2.5 $725K, 335 East Gulf Dr 3/2 $725K, 5650 SanCap Rd 2/2 $735K, 1662 Dixie Beach Blvd 3/2 $899K, 916 Beach Rd 4/3 $999K (our listing), 1690 Sabal Palm Dr 4/3 $1.595M, 5071 Joewood Dr 4/4.5 $4.25M, 3635 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 $4.45M.
10 price changes: 984 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 half-duplex now $345K, 750 Nerita St 3/2 now $499K, 1417 Causey Ct 3/2 now $544K, 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 now $673.5K, 1366 Sand Castle Rd 3/2.5 now $689K, 1244 Par View Dr 4/3 now $878.9K, 2449 Harbour Ln 2/2 now $995K, 4630 Rue Bayou 4/4.5 now $1.249M, 6440 Pine Ave 3/3 now $1.9M, 4215 West Gulf Dr 4/4/2 now $4.899.9M.
5 new sales: 1086 Sand castle Rd 3/2 listed for $544K, 1731 Venus Dr 3/3 listed for $949K, 1570 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 listed for $899K (short sale), 5063 Joewood Dr 4/5.5 listed for $3.395M, 3401 West Gulf Dr 4/4.5 listed for $4.788M.
3 closed sales: 761 Nerita St 3/2 $410K, 3861 Coquina Dr 3/3 $695K, 1918 Woodring Rd 4/4 $2.3M (our sale).

LOTS
No new listings or price changes.
2 new sales: 2285 Wulfert Rd listed for $139K (short sale), 1594 Century Ct listed for $139.9K.
No closed sales.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
2 price changes: Bayside Villas #5338 3/3 now $599K, Lands End Village #1628 3/3 now $1.675M.
3 new sales: Bayside Villas #4322 3/3 listed for $510K (short sale), Captiva Shores #6B 2/2 listed for $699.9K, Beach Homes #32 3/2.5 listed for $1.695M.
1 closed sale: Captiva Hide-A-Way #1D 2/2 $480K.

HOMES
No new listings.
1 price change: 1121 Schefflera Ct 4/4.5 now $5.4M.
2 new sales: 15361 Captiva Dr 5/4 listed for $2.3M (short sale), 16238 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 listed for $3.999M.
1 closed sale: 15867 Captiva Dr 3/3.5 $3.25M.

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 the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

Spring Things on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on March 23, 2012 by SanibelSusan

It is the end of yet another fun-filled seven days at SanibelSusan Realty.

Island Real Estate Happenings

We had good showing activity at our listings again this week, though no offers. I wrote one, but it is a work in progress. You will notice from the Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing Service report below that the island price war continues. Over the past seven days, there were 27 Sanibel price reductions, nine new Sanibel listings, and 13 new Sanibel sales, so that, to a degree, is progress.

March Realtor® Membership Meeting

At our monthly Realtor® Meeting yesterday, Steve Greenstein, Executive Director of CROW (Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife), updated members on happenings at the clinic. Since CROW began here 44 years ago when a local resident rescued an injured royal tern found on a roadway, it has evolved into the premier facility that it is today.

With the mission to “save wildlife through compassion, care and education”, CROW operates on a 12.5-acre campus at 3883 Sanibel Captiva Road. Guided by a volunteer board of directors and full- and part-time staff members, more than 250 volunteers support CROW programming, participating in everything from rescue, animal transportation and patient care to visitor education, facilities maintenance, event coordination and administrative duties.

Each year, CROW cares for nearly 5,000 sick, injured and orphaned wildlife patients in its veterinary hospital, which is one of the nations leading rehabilitation facilities for native and migratory animals. The hospital director, Dr. Heather Barron, is one of fewer than 200 nationally-boarded specialists in avian medicine. Her background also includes work as Medical Director for The Cayman Turtle Farm (which has more than 4,000 turtles). What a perfect match she is for our wildlife here.

In addition to treating some 200 different species of birds, mammals, and reptiles annually, CROW operates educational externship and fellowship programs for undergraduate natural sciences and veterinary medicine students. For post-graduate students, their annual internship program offers hands-on experience in clinical care and rehabilitation, as well as rescue and release.

For the public, CROW hosts a diverse array of wildlife presentations, special events and interactive activities on a year-round basis. The 4,800-sq. ft. Healing Winds Visitor Education Center opened in 2009 with interactive educational displays and live webcams that immerse visitors in the patient rehab process and spotlight animals treated by CROW staff, students and volunteers. Here’s a link to their website: www.crowclinic.org

Sanibel Fish House

On the local restaurant scene, the new “Sanibel Fish House” opened this week. It is in the previous location of McT’s which closed some time ago. The building has been renovated top-to-bottom and remodeled in bright tropical Key West-style decor – definitely island casual. Dave and I have had lunch there and can attest that the salads are affordable and good. The dinner menu looks yummy too. The new owners have similar Fish Houses on both Fort Myers Beach and Bonita Beach, so are well versed in seafood. Here’s a link to their website www.thefishhouserestaurants.com.

For Sanibel Bikers

The new pavilion on Periwinkle Way, between Huxter’s Market and She Sells Sea Shells, is nearly complete. The Sanibel Island Bike Club is in the process of creating what will be a Bicycle Visitors Welcome and Information Center there. When complete, the 15′ x 12′ pavilion will have a map showing Sanibel’s bike paths, info on natural areas (courtesy of the Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation), details on the site’s history as well as other island locations (courtesy of the Sanibel Museum & Historic Village), a bike rack for parking (donated by Billy’s Bike Rentals), benches (donated by the Lion’s Club); and a water fountain. In addition to these cooperative efforts, the project is being funded by donated materials to support the project.

The idea reportedly originated with local resident, Dick Muench, who owns the land. Some years ago, he offered to donate the site for the building of a gazebo or similar structure, and that bit of generosity eventually prompted the Bike Club to tackle the project, which was significantly bolstered by Sanibel’s former Beautification Committee which closed operations last year, but made a major contribution to Sanibel Bike Club’s “Trails in Motion” fund.

Sanibel was one of the first cities in America to incorporate municipal bike paths within its infrastructure, and it is expected that these will only increase in popularity as new generations of bike riders emerge in the community. The Sanibel Bike Club has been a long advocate for use of those paths – with each bicycle meaning one less car to slow the flow of traffic on Periwinkle.

Martha Stewart Talks About the Sanibel Shell Fair

Sailor's Valentine by Sandy Moran
Note the Nantucket basket

Several days ago on the Martha Stewart TV Show, Martha and Hannah Milman, her Holidays and Crafts Editor, created a beach-inspired paperweight using shells. Hannah attends the Sanibel Shell Show and Fair each year. During the segment, she talked about our island friend and client, Sandy Moran, who creates many of her world-famous sailors’ valentines in the property we sold her here on the island.

This TV segment highlighted some of Sandy’s work as well as other winners from the Artistic Division of the juried 75th Shell Show, as well as other Sanibel shell crafters. The Shell Fair and Show begins the first Wednesday each March. We are already looking forward to the 76th event on March 7, 8, and 9, 2013 at The Sanibel Community House. The video can be found at: www.marthastewart.com/898281/shell-paperweight-craft, while detailed instructions for making the paperweight are at www.marthastewart.com/898099/shell-paperweight

Here’s a link to Sandy’s web site too - with more photos of her sailors’ valentines.

Home Improvement Trends

The following article posted on Florida Realtors® this week is particularly timely for the beginning of spring.

“Continuing uncertainty in the real estate market has homeowners asking a major question as the market warms this spring: Is it smarter to move or to improve?

“Cost is the driving factor behind home improvement projects again this year, and many owners want to choose projects that provide the biggest return on investment. Power Home Remodeling Group, one of the nation’s largest home remodeling companies, empowers homeowners to get the biggest bang for their home-improvement buck this spring, whether updating a home to increase its resale value or infusing the place with some personality to create your dream home.

““Giving your home some added curb appeal with an exterior makeover will automatically boost the resale value of your property,” says Jeff Kaliner of Power Home Remodeling Group, “If you plan to stay put, focus on cost-effective renovations that make your home more comfortable, functional and low maintenance for your family.”

“Cost-effective home improvements
• Energize the exterior. Exterior home improvements are still king when it comes to return on investment this year. Projects like updating siding, window replacement and refreshing entry doors have a dramatic effect on a home’s curb appeal for a relatively low-cost. Seven of the top 10 home improvement projects for 2012 are exterior projects garnering anywhere from 69 to 78% return on investment – the highest of any other projects this year.
• Choose bold and bright finishes. Fiberglass entry and garage doors are a popular alternative to their pricey wooden counterparts in 2012. A fiberglass door is weather resistant, durable and, above all, maintenance free. The material allows owners to achieve the stylish look of an elegant craftsman or rustic design with decorative glass at a fraction of the price. Bright, bold exterior colors are also popular this year. Make curb appeal pop by choosing a shade of tangerine, yellow or deep purple for an entry door.
• Energy efficiency is still supreme. The top green home trend for 2012 is renovating to reduce a home’s heating and cooling costs. Making the most of empty attic space by adding a bedroom, or at least finishing it with insulation, is a way to keep conditioned air from escaping through the roof. Updating the attic is this year’s third most cost-effective home improvement, garnering a 72% return on investment.”

U.S. Makes $25 Billion Profit on Mortgage Securities

An article posted earlier this week on Florida Realtors®, came from washingtonpost.com, Zachary A. Goldfarb:

“The Obama administration announced Monday that taxpayers made $25 billion in profit on a program to keep mortgage interest rates down in the wake of the 2008 meltdown in financial markets.
“Building on efforts that began under President George W. Bush, the Obama administration took a number of steps to keep the mortgage market operating after the real estate market crashed, including providing unlimited financial support to mortgage-finance giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and buying $225 billion in securities backed by mortgage loans.

“The $25 billion profit came from the sale of these mortgage-backed securities and underscores the administration’s success in winding down some of the emergency programs undertaken during the financial crisis. The vast majority of banks that received aid from taxpayers, for instance, have paid back the investments with interest, and the auto industry is continuing to show strength after it was bailed out.

“Although government efforts helped make sure borrowers could continue to get affordable financing to buy homes during the recession, other elements of the administration’s response to the housing crisis have proved less favorable for taxpayers and existing homeowners.

“Fannie and Freddie, for example, are expected to cost taxpayers more than $100 billion in the end, with little hope of that money being paid back. And the administration’s efforts to help homeowners have fallen far short of its expectations. Only $3.44 billion of the $50 billion the administration pledged to spend to help homeowners has been disbursed over the past three years.

“In supporting the housing market, the Treasury Department bought $225 billion of mortgage-backed securities in 2008 and 2009. The purchases channeled money into the mortgage markets, helping to reduce the interest rates of home loans.

“The program came after interest rates on home loans spiked in the wake of the 2008 crisis and doubts arose over whether investors around the world would continue to invest in U.S. mortgages.

“The Federal Reserve launched a much larger and significant program, and now owns about $846 billion in mortgage-backed securities.

“Treasury began to wind down its portfolio in March 2011 after concluding its mortgage purchase program was no long necessary.

““The successful sale of these securities marks another important milestone in the wind down of the government’s emergency financial crisis response efforts,” said Mary Miller, assistant Treasury secretary for financial markets. “This program helped support the housing market during a critical moment for our nation’s economy and delivered a substantial profit for taxpayers,” she said.”

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 16-23

Sanibel
CONDOS
4 new listings: Colonnades #12 1/1 $169K, Sandpiper Beach #205 2/2 $599K, Sundial #E208 2/2 $849K, Snug Harbor #121 2/2 $1.195M.
9 price changes: Sundial #G107 1/1 now $239.9K, Blind Pass #D205 2/2 now $305.6K (short sale), Mariner Pointe #1092 2/2 now $349.9K, Sanctuary Golf Villages I #3-2 3/3 now $450K, Mariner Pointe #842 2/2 now $485K, Loggerhead Cay #583 2/2 now $549K, Sundial #Q301 2/2 now $595K, Loggerhead Cay #521 2/2 now $595K, Pointe Santo #C32 2/2 now $695K.
10 new sales: Lake Palms #9 2/2.5 listed for $217K (short sale), Coquina Beach #5A 2/2 listed for $304K, Coquina Beach #4G 2/2 listed for $405K, Sundial #H402 2/2 listed for $449K, Sandalfoot #3D1 2/2 listed for $449.9K, Sandalfoot #3C3 2/2 listed for $519K, Mariner Pointe #131 3/2 listed for $549K, Sanibel Surfside #234 2/2 listed for $649K, Atrium #105 2/2 listed for $990K, Sundial #T306 3/2 listed for $995K.
5 closed sales: Sundial #H108 1/1 $235K, Tennisplace #C23 2/1.5 $255K, Nutmeg Village #211 2/2 $503K, Nutmeg Village #310 2/2 $521K, Wedgewood #203 3/3.5 $1.825M.

HOMES
5 new listings: 2066 Wild Lime Dr 2/1 $379K; 1125 Captains Walk St 2/2 $539K; 564 Hideaway Ct 3/2 $649,555; 1731 Venus Dr 3/2 $949K; 2735 Wulfert Rd 4/5 $1.249M.
16 price changes: 458 Lake Murex Cir 3/2 now $409K; 3812 Coquina Dr 3/2 now $425K; 731 Nerita St 3/2 now $499K; 1400 Albatross Rd 3/3 now $525K; 967 Beach Rd 2/2 half-duplex now $555K; 4210 Old Banyan Way 3/2 now $595K; 707 Cardium St 4/3.5 now $599K; 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 now $676.5K; 542 N Yachtsman Dr 2/2 now $699K (our listing); 1308 Tahiti Dr 3/3 now $699K; 1433 Sanderling Cir 4/3 now $799,999; 1244 Par View Dr 4/3 now $888.9K; 1570 Sand Castle Rd 4/3.5 now $899K (short sale); 5427 Osprey Ct 3/3.5 now $1.195M; 1743 Venus Dr 4/3.5 now $1.199M; 1878 Woodring Rd 3/2.5 now $2.39M.
2 new sales: 1755 Jewel Box Dr 3/2 listed for $599K, 4949 Joewood Dr 5/5 listed for $2.775M.
1 closed sale: 598 Kinzie Island Ct 3/3.5 $1.475M.

LOTS
No new listings.
2 price changes: 1450 Tahiti Dr now $249,555; Lot 7 West Gulf Dr now $1.45M.
1 new sale: 2251 Starfish Ln listed for $339K.
1 closed sale: 335 East Gulf Dr $237K.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings or price changes.
3 new sales: Bayside Villas #4319 3/3 listed for $559K, Seabreeze #1251 3/3 listed for $1.649M, Beach Homes #15 4/3 listed for $1.995M.
No closed sales.

HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 11516 Andy Rosse Ln 6/6 now $2.295M, 16838 Captiva Dr 6/7.5 now $6.25M.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 15351 Captiva Dr 5/4 $2.4M.

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 the general real estate activity in the community and does not imply that SanibelSusan Realty Associates is participating or participated in these transactions. If your property currently is listed with another broker, this is not intended as a solicitation of that listing.

It’s Always “Green” on Sanibel & Captiva Islands

Posted on March 16, 2012 by SanibelSusan

All is well here on the islands with high season just flying by. It has been especially busy this week with the Lee County Schools on spring break, which added more day-trippers to the beaches, roadways and bike paths, and filled most of the remaining vacation rentals.

In addition to our continual green foliage from our tropical year-’round weather, we have floral evidence of “spring” too. The photo below was taken as I was coming out of The Bistro at Beachview after lunch on Wednesday. Bet it’s in full yellow bloom by tomorrow!

I was out showing condos this morning. Though 24 units matched the criteria of these prospective buyers, I was only able to show them four units – a definite indication that occupancy is up. Just two of the 24 had short vacancies. Listing agents were able to gain access to the other two by sweet-talking cooperative tenants.

Selling becomes difficult when you can only view a small sampling, and the buyers are leaving the next day. One of our toughest Realtor® tasks is convincing buyers to look early-on during their vacation or on tenant turn-over days. When that does not work out, we also recommend that investment-property buyers come back to view during the off-season when accessibility is easier. We even have been known to suggest making an offer conditional on a viewing. Some buyers think we are crazy when we give that advice, but most buyers do want to “see” what they are purchasing.

Thursday Realtor® Caravan Meeting

We had a little Realtor® kibitzing going on at our weekly meeting yesterday. It all began when only one sale was announced. That is not a good sign for mid-March. The consensus between companies was that although both January and February had good sales activity, so far this month is dragging. Comments ranged from “it’s already spring up north” to “it’s an election year” to “though lots of property is being shown and viewed, buyers remain tentative; most are going home without purchasing.” We hope that this just means that more sales will occur in the off-season.

Typically, we start to see the island thinning out April 1st. The early departures often are those who want to get back to their up north home in time to finish their income taxes. By April 15, or just after Easter, the islands usually are back to off-season activity.

What’s Happening at SanibelSusan Realty

It was a two-closing week for us. We like those, but interesting that our closing at Seashells was the only Sanibel condo sale reported. Five home sales closed, one being our listing at Seagull Estates.

This week, I also listed a wonderful 2-bedroom plus den (or 3-bedroom) condo, right on the beach at Compass Point. It was completely remodeled and professionally decorated in 2009 and is grossing nearly $60K annually as a weekly rental. The slide show photos below are courtesy of Island Vacations of Sanibel & Captiva Inc. who handles the rentals.

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Though we did not get any of our listings sold this week, we did put a near-beach lot under contract that was not listed for sale. First time that has happened. As the result of an Open House at one of our home listings, Lisa met folks who then considered other homes, but decided that building a new one is a better option for them. Though we then tried hard to get them interested in one of our lot listings, they ultimately decided that they want a parcel that was not on the market. So I tracked down and contacted the owners, and we were able to negotiate a sale. For statistic purposes, we will post it in our Multiple Listing Service when it closes in a couple of weeks.

Statistics on Sanibel & Captiva Sales as of March 16

Here’s an update of the current island inventory – condos, homes, and lots, and their sales this year. Historical info from 2011 and 2010 is also provided for reference. The amount of inventory remaining substantiates the number of price reductions that continue to be posted week-after-week. The report of the detailed activity in our Sanibel & Captiva Islands Multiple Listing System below shows 23 price reductions, compared to 11 new sales, over the past week.

Number Average Price $ Average Days on Market

Sanibel Condos:For Sale 253 636,827 399

Under Contract 31 651,177 455

Sold & Closed in:

2012 thru 3/16 26 652,680 278

2011 142 591,681 325

2010 120 608,545 381

Sanibel Homes:

For Sale 230 1,305,598 368

Under Contract 39 951,347 309

Sold & Closed in:

2012 thru 3/16 45 767,461 289

2011 179 826,130 369

2010 124 775,805 320

Sanibel Lots:

For Sale 104 543,024 816

Under Contract 3 299,933 415

Sold & Closed in:

2012 thru 3/16 6 762,167 208

2011 19 363,729 491

2010 21 336,905 484

Captiva Condos:

For Sale 67 774,308 389

Under Contract 4 1,072,250 738

Sold & Closed in:

2012 thru 3/16 4 640,375 543

2011 24 737,754 494

2010 25 696,159 312

Captiva Homes:

For Sale 57 3,428,474 596

Under Contract 7 2,331,429 482

Sold & Closed in:

2012 thru 3/16 8 1,413,125 613

2011 22 1,782,059 360

2010 10 2,258,250 357

Captiva Lots:

For Sale 10 1,810,800 1,074

Under Contract 0 N/A N/A

Sold & Closed in:

2012 thru 3/16 1 515,000 95

2011 1 485,000 580

2010 2 2,850,000 284

Fed Notes Better Economy, Takes No Policy Action

Here are some excerpts from an article posted mid-week by “The Associated Press”:

“The Federal Reserve sketched a more upbeat view of the economy Tuesday after a burst of hiring since its last meeting in January. It took no further steps to aid the recovery and repeated its plan to keep short-term interest rates near zero through 2014. After a one-day policy meeting, the Fed said unemployment should continue to decline gradually as the economy expands moderately. It also noted that consumer spending and business investment have picked up. And the Fed took a more hopeful view of Europe’s debt crisis. Though the crisis still threatens the global economy, the danger has eased, the Fed said.

“The policymakers cautioned that rising oil and gas prices will raise inflation temporarily. But they said longer-term inflation should remain stable – repeating a view expressed by Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke earlier this month….Since the Fed’s last meeting in late January, a stream of positive economic reports has suggested the economy is faring better than the Fed had expected.

“Employers added 734,000 jobs from December through February, the best three months of hiring in two years. The unemployment rate has declined to 8.3 percent. Consumers are more confident and have stepped up spending. Auto sales are rising. And the stock market keeps climbing.

“Despite the brightening prospects, unemployment remains historically high — something Bernanke mentioned in testimony to Congress last month, when he said, “The job market remains far from normal.”
Bernanke also said consumer spending and confidence remain less than healthy, inflation-adjusted pay gains are low and credit is still tight for many. As long as they are, Bernanke suggested, unemployment might not fall much further.

“Bernanke’s comments and remarks from other Fed officials suggest that the Fed plans to maintain its efforts to keep rates low to fuel growth. Low rates are intended to encourage consumers and businesses to borrow and spend more. Lower yields also lead some investors to shift money out of bonds and into stocks.

“Most economists don’t think the Fed will retreat anytime this year from its late-2014 target for any rate increase. Some note that threats to the economy remain from Europe’s debt crisis and the run-up in gasoline prices. Eventually, the Fed will feel compelled to raise rates to curb inflation as the economy heats up. But some analysts think the Fed is reluctant to signal an eventual shift toward higher rates before it’s close to a change. Signaling a change too soon might cause investors to push interest rates up before the Fed is sure the economic recovery will last.”

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity March 9-16

Sanibel
CONDOS
5 new listings: Sundial #B207 1/1 $299K, Signal Inn #2 1/1 $379K, Pointe Santo #C4 1/1 $497.9K, Compass Point #141 3/2 $999K (our listing), Compass Point #143 3/2 $1.095M.
6 price changes: Coquina Beach #5A 2/2 now $304K, Seawind #104 2/2.5 now $479K, Blind Pass #C203 3/2.5 now $499K, Loggerhead Cay #232 2/2 now $559K, Tarpon Beach #308 2/2 now $625K, Gulfside Place #117 2/2 now $970K.
4 new sales: Sandalfoot #4A3 2/2 listed for $529K, Sand Pointe #211 2/2 listed for $599K, Pointe Santo #C35 3/2 listed for $879K, Atrium #105 2/2 listed for $990K.
1 closed sale: Seashells #20 2/2 $325K (our listing)

HOMES
4 new listings: 1621 Sand Castle Rd 3/2 $446K; 4791 Rue Helene 3/2 $599,995; 4570 Bowen Bayou Rd 2/2 $699K, 926 Whelk Dr 4/3 $1.295M.
11 price changes: 531 Piedmont Rd 2/2 now $319K; 1433 Jamaica Dr 5/4 duplex now $439K; 533 Rabbit Rd 3/2 now $499.5K; 1400 Albatross Rd 3/3 now $535K; 1245 Anhinga Ln 3/2 now $549K; 1339 Par View Dr 3/2 now $681K; 4041 Coquina Dr 3/3 now $899K; 2308 Troon Ct 4/4 now $1.5M; 5427 Osprey Ct 3/3.5 now $1.272M; 2284 Troon Ct 4/4.5 now $1,999,999; 4717 Rue Belle Mer 3/3 now $2.195M.
5 new sales: 215 Robinwood Cir 3/2 listed for $639K, 9020 Mockingbird Dr 3/2 listed for $725K, 3861 Coquina Dr 3/3 listed for $729K, 440 East Gulf Dr 3/2 listed for $879K, 654 Kinzie Island Ct 6/4/2 listed for $2.295M.5 closed sales: 5745 Pine Tree Dr 2/1 $375K, 210 Daniel Dr 3/3 $549K (our listing), 1773 Bunting Ln 3/2 $520K, 1351 Middle Gulf Dr (Moonshadows) 3/3 half-duplex $635K, 881 Lindgren Blvd 3/2 $640K.

LOTS
2 new listings: 5170 Sea Bell Rd $179K, 201 Robinwood Cir $699K.
1 price change: 2494 Blind Pass Ct now $649K.
1 new sale: 2423 Blue Crab Ct listed for $329.9K.
1 closed sale: 761 Donax St $140K.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
2 price changes: Gulf Beach Villas #2111 2/2 now $595K, Beach Homes #32 3/2.5 now $1.695M.
1 new sale: Tennis Villas #3219 1/1 listed for $219K.
No closed sales.

HOMES
1 new listing: 59 Sandpiper Ct 3/2 $825K.
2 price changes: 16849 Captiva Dr 6/2/2 now $2.195M, 15631 Captiva Dr 5/4.5 now $2.85M.
No new or closed sales.

LOTS
No new listings.
1 price change: 11516 Wightman Ln now $699K.
No new sales.
1 closed sale: 11515 Gore Ln $515K.

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow to all of our Irish friends, SanibelSusan

What’s Cookin’ This Week at SanibelSusan Realty

Posted on March 9, 2012 by SanibelSusan

Wow, dare I even say that it is yet another busy week on Sanibel and Captiva Islands. Though most island worker bees will be counting down the next four weeks and are looking forward to a breather after Easter, it sure is terrific when business is booming.

I ran out for lunch today and snagged the very last table at West Wind’s Inn’s Normandy Pub which is a local favorite since it always has a table (and quick service).

Someone must have put the word out on that place too. Wonder if Arthur Frommer is up to his tricks again and touting Sanibel to the world?

Dave, Lisa, and I were out showing several days this week, dealing with inspections, finishing up loose ends for closings, and writing offers, while Elise has been keeping the office on an even keel. We always like it when we have a closing and a new sale in the same week. Kudos to Lisa for bringing in the “big Sanibel sale” of the week. We have a couple of other things in the works too.

Realtor Caravan Meeting

Good sales activity during the last seven-day period was announced at our Realtor Meeting yesterday: On Sanibel, seven new condo sales and five homes. On Captiva, two homes. The 28 price reductions posted this week, however, indicate that the market continues to adjust.

For those wondering what kind of listings we have these days, the below slide show is a sampling. For more details, please click on the tabs above for a link to a page with more details about the individual listings.

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Sanibel Public Library Earns Top Honors in National Study

The local library’s Winter Newsletter just arrived and announced that again the Sanibel Public Library has earned recognition by being named by The “Library Journal” as a 5-Star Library in its annual America’s Star Libraries 2011 survey. According to the article, the “Library Journal” Index of Public Library Service measures the service levels of 7,153 public libraries in the U.S. based on circulation, visits, internet use, and program attendance. This is the second year Sanibel’s library has been honored as a Star Library, and the first year as a 5-Star Library – the highest rating. In 2010, the Sanibel Public Library received a 3-Star rating. It is the only Florida library to be named a Star Library! The full report of star libraries is available.

Upcoming Events

There are so many special events coming up in the next few weeks that it is almost hard to keep track. It is easy to check the blog events calendar above if you will be here and are looking for things to do.

BIG ARTS Community Chorus reported Tuesday that our spring concert on March 27 already is sold out. There usually are a few no-shows on performance night, however, so those without tickets are advised to arrive early and get in line. It is going to be our best concert ever, with many special solos and instrumentalists, including guest horn players from the Big Apple who will be playing with us on a Manhattan Transfer medley. Every year this concert sells our earlier and earlier. Rumor has it that next year, we may have two performances.

If you like a more casual-style concert, be sure and catch our chorus when we join Island Jazz performing outside in the Boler Garden at BIG ARTS on Sunday, March 18, at 3 p.m. Just bring your lawn chair or blanket. I borrowed the photo to the left from the Island Jazz Facebook page. Check it out!

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 2 – 9

HOMES
1 new listing: 5296 Umbrella Pool Rd 4/2 $599K.
10 price changes: 2560 Coconut Dr 3/3 now $495K, 5841 Pine Tree Dr 3/2 now $495K, 1400 Albatross Rd 3/3 now $542K, 955 S Yachtsman Dr 3/2 now $559K, 4210 Old Banyan Way 3/2 now $637K, 561 Lake Murex Cir 3/2.5 now $649K, 960 S Yachtsman Dr 3/3 now $999K, 2981 Wulfert Rd 4/4.5 now $1.95M, 6211 Starling Way 4/4.5 now $1.995M, 1314 Isabel Dr 4/3.5 now $2.194M.
5 new sales: 661 Cardium St 2/1.5 listed for $364K; 927 Limpet Dr 3/3 listed for $674.9K (foreclosure); 231 Daniel Dr 3/2.5 listed for $789,987; 4809 Tradewinds Dr 3/3.5 listed for $1.495M, 1918 Woodring Rd 4/4 listed for $2.799M (our Buyer).
7 closed sales: 474 Surf Sound Ct 3/2 $425K (short sale), 3822 Coquina Dr 3/2 $420K, 1929 Sanibel Bayous Rd 4/3 $395K, 2555 Coconut Dr 3/2 $550K, 4775 Rue Helene 4/3 $687K, 244 Daniel Dr 3/3 $720K, 730 Birdie View Pt 3/2.5 $1.225M.

LOTS
1 new listing: 5044 Joewood Dr $499K.
1 price change: 1048 Fish Crow now $429K.
No new or closed sales.

Captiva
CONDOS
No new listings.
2 price changes: Tennis Villas #3120 1/1 now $215K, Captiva Shores #6B 2/2 now $699.9K.
No new or closed sales.

HOMES
No new listings.
2 price changes: 1 Sunset Captiva Ln 2/2.5 now $1.495M, 15891 Captiva Dr 5/4 now $3.149M.
2 new sales: 16185 Captiva Dr 4/4 listed for $1.299M, 15351 Captiva Dr listed for $2.895M.
1 closed sale: 15161 Wiles Dr 5/5.5 $2M.

LOTS
No new listings.
1 price change: 11517 Wightman Ln now $695K.
No new or closed sales.

Family-Friendly Destination

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Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity May 4-11

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No Realtor® Caravan This Week

Visit CROW’s New Visitor Center

Is Florida’s Shadow Inventory a Rebound Threat?

Update on Citizens (Wind) Property Insurance

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity April 27- May 4

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75th Sanibel Shell Fair and Show

Piping To Be Replaced in The Dunes Subdivision

Final Farmer’s Market of the Season This Weekend

SanibelSusan’s Golden Rules for Dealing With Technology

Tarpon Tournament Update

March Pending Home Sales Rise, Market Recovering

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity April 20-27

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Earth Day

Snowy Plovers on Hatchday

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity April 13-20:

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Quick Weather Update

Easter Weekend Happenings

Taxing Issues

Coastal Zone Protection Change Benefits Resorts

Springtime & Baby Birds

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 30 – April 6

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What’s Happening on the Islands This Week

Controlled Fire Planned at The Refuge Tomorrow

Top Markets for International Home Buyers

Have Home Prices Finally Reached Bottom?

Realtor® – Just to Set the Record Straight

How Important Is the Kitchen

Four Home Technologies for Energy Efficiency

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 23-30

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Island Real Estate Happenings

March Realtor® Membership Meeting

Sanibel Fish House

For Sanibel Bikers

Martha Stewart Talks About the Sanibel Shell Fair

Home Improvement Trends

U.S. Makes $25 Billion Profit on Mortgage Securities

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 16-23

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Thursday Realtor® Caravan Meeting

What’s Happening at SanibelSusan Realty

Statistics on Sanibel & Captiva Sales as of March 16

Fed Notes Better Economy, Takes No Policy Action

Sanibel & Captiva MLS Activity March 9-16

Happy Saint Patrick’s Day tomorrow to all of our Irish friends, SanibelSusan

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Realtor Caravan Meeting

Sanibel Public Library Earns Top Honors in National Study

Upcoming Events

Sanibel & Captiva Multiple Listing Service Activity March 2 – 9

Until next Friday, here’s to enjoying your March weather wherever you are.

On Sanibel & Captiva Islands, it came in like a lamb. TGIF SanibelSusan

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