Author: LeAenSUAREZGroup

Southwest Florida Market Perspective: On a 12-month rolling basis, closed sales through March were down 8.6% from the preceding 12 months, while new listings were up 9.7%. There’s no question that market characteristics have changed over the past 12 months, but year-over-year changes alone don’t offer the context required to understand what those changes truly mean. That 9.7% increase in new listings may seem to suggest an unusual surge of homes entering the market; however, after reviewing longer-term new listing trends, we realize this increase was after a twelve-month period which represented a 10-year low. Further review reveals that new listings over the most recent 12 months came in at a slower pace than for 7 of the past 10 years and were only up when compared to the years of the pandemic-driven surge when the pace of new listings was historically slow.
It’s no surprise that, while new listings have increased since that unprecedented pandemic-driven market, sales have decreased. Sales over the past twelve months were down compared to pre-pandemic levels, as well. However, the potential consequences of this shift take on a different meaning when we realize that both the pace of new listings and closed sales over the past 12 months were down by nearly the same degree, 7%, and 6%, respectively, when compared to the average of the 6 years preceding the pandemic. This helps explain why, despite historically slow sales, our overall market remains in balance with 7 months of supply. It’s this relationship between supply and demand that gives us the clearest insight into the status of the market. Another metric to consider is days on market, which for Q1 2024 was lower than for any of the past 10 years excluding the most recent three.

Even in a balanced market with historically low days on market, sellers should remember that buyers now have options and aren’t likely to make an offer on a home that’s not properly priced. Conversely, a well-presented home that’s priced for today’s market will attract offers. Buyers should consider this when identifying one of these homes, as they may not be the only buyers to have realized the opportunity and have set their sights on it.

Through March, John R. Wood Christie’s International Real Estate continues to rank as the top brokerage in total year-to-date sales volume and transactions in Southwest Florida! Click here for entire report

As of April 22, the city of Sanibel has announced the closure of all parking lots at Lighthouse Beach Park to facilitate the replenishment of the berm near the Sanibel Lighthouse by contracted workers. This maintenance work is scheduled to conclude by May 1, just before the onset of sea turtle nesting season. The decision to add sand in areas surrounding the lighthouse was prompted by erosion resulting from recent weather conditions, as identified by the city’s Natural Resources Department. Furthermore, permits have been secured for a more comprehensive beach renourishment project at the park, slated for the upcoming fall season. Once the current work is finalized, the city will promptly notify the public regarding the reopening of the parking lots

Celebrate Earth Day with a Walk at Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church!

Join Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church as they host a special Earth Day Walk on Monday, April 22nd, the 54th anniversary of Earth Day! This is a great opportunity to celebrate our beautiful island and show your commitment to environmental stewardship.

Walk Details:

• Start Time: 11:00 AM
• Location: Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church (2304 Periwinkle Way, Sanibel)
• Distance: Approximately 0.8 miles
• Route: The walk will include stops within a few blocks for blessings throughout the community. Participants will pause at:
  • Community Housing & Resources complex
  • Sanibel Fire and Rescue District station
  • A nearby section of water
  • Sanibel City Hall
  • Sanibel Public Library
  • Sanibel Police Department
  • Sanibel Island Farmers Market site and recycling station
• Accessibility: The route is designed to be accessible for walkers of all ages.

Lace up your walking shoes and join us for this meaningful event. It’s a great way to get some exercise, enjoy the fresh air, and show your support for our planet.

For more information about the Earth Day Walk, please visit the Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church website at [website of Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church] or call 239-472-2173.

We look forward to celebrating Earth Day with you!

The City of Sanibel recently announced that “BC” parking permits, designated for non-resident access to the Sanibel Boat Ramp, have sold out for 2024. However, there’s good news! Other permit options are still available for securing your beach parking spot.

Here’s a quick rundown of the remaining permits and their perks:

• Resident Beach Parking (Permit A): Enjoy convenient beach access for just $14. (Note: This permit is for residents only.)
• Non-Resident Beach Parking (Permit B): Relax on the beach with this permit, available for $300.
• Resident Beach & Boat Ramp Parking (Permit AC): This versatile permit grants access to both beach parking and the Sanibel Boat Ramp for $113. (Open to residents only.)

Get Your Permit and Explore Sanibel!

All remaining 2024 permits (A, B, and AC) can be purchased at the Sanibel Recreation Center located at 3880 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel. These permits are valid from now until November 30th, 2024.

For any questions or additional information, don’t hesitate to contact the center directly at 239-472-0345.

The Beachview Tennis Club is hosting its Open Doubles Tournament on April 27th and 28th, presented by Grampy’s Charities. This exciting event will see both men’s and women’s doubles competitions across skill levels (3.0, 3.5, and 4.0) on the first day, followed by mixed doubles in the same categories on the second day.

Show your skills and support a worthy cause!

The entry fee is $100 per player, per day, or $150 for both days of competition. Winners and runners-up in each category will receive awards. All participants will also receive a commemorative T-shirt and lunch on both days.

More than just a tournament!

This tournament isn’t just about great competition; it’s about giving back to the community. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Lee Association for Remarkable Citizens (LARC), a local non-profit dedicated to supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

“I am proud to support LARC through this tournament,” says club owner and tennis pro Toni Halski. “LARC plays a vital role in our community, providing essential programs and services that empower individuals with disabilities to live fulfilling lives.”

Join the cause!

Space is limited, so register now to secure your spot! The deadline to register is April 20th. Contact Toni Halski at 239-472-9099 for more information or to register.

Sponsorship opportunities are also available!

For sponsorship inquiries, please contact Nickole Hendra at 239-334-6285 Ext. 229 or nickolehendra@larcleeecounty.org. You can also visit LARC Lee County Tennis: https://larcleecounty.org/ for more information.

Don’t miss this chance to combine your love of tennis with supporting a fantastic local organization! We look forward to seeing you on the courts!

Dine Out for Less and Support Local Students with the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club’s Diner’s Delight!

The Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club is once again offering their popular Diner’s Delight coupon book, packed with two-for-one deals at your favorite island eateries.

Savor Savings and Support a Great Cause

This year’s Diner’s Delight is valid from May through December, giving you plenty of opportunities to enjoy delicious meals while stretching your budget. Participating restaurants include local favorites like Cielo, Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, Gramma Dot’s, and many more.

Where to Find Your Diner’s Delight

Pick up your copy of the Diner’s Delight for a $40 contribution at the following locations:

• From Kiwanis members themselves
• Bank of the Islands
• Periwinkle Park’s front office
• SanCap Pak-N-Ship
• Sanibel Captiva Community Bank
• The Sanibel Farmers Market

Can’t Make it in Person? Order by Mail!

For those unable to visit Sanibel or Captiva in person, you can still get your hands on a Diner’s Delight by mail. Simply send a check for $40 made payable to “Kiwanis of Sanibel-Captiva” along with a self-addressed, stamped (#10 envelope) to:

Kiwanis of Sanibel-Captiva P.O. Box 1 Sanibel, FL 33957

More Than Just Delicious Deals

By purchasing a Diner’s Delight, you’re not just treating yourself to culinary delights; you’re also supporting a worthy cause. Proceeds from the book go towards the Sanibel-Captiva Kiwanis Club’s scholarship program for local students, as well as education and recreation grants that benefit island youth.

So grab your Diner’s Delight, explore the culinary scene of Sanibel and Captiva, and feel good knowing you’re giving back to the community!

Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF) is at it again, this time with a clever strategy to attract state-threatened least terns to safe nesting spots. These tiny beach birds, the smallest terns in the world, are a social bunch. So SCCF is using decoy wooden birds to create the illusion of a thriving colony, luring real least terns to nest nearby.

Why the Decoys?

Least terns prefer to nest in large groups on open, sandy beaches. Sanibel and Captiva have plenty of potential nesting sites, but some areas are risky for the birds. For instance, the Causeway Islands, where least terns tried nesting last year, are currently undergoing restoration projects due to Hurricane Ian damage.

Social Attraction in Action

SCCF shorebird technician Aaron White explains, “The decoys act as a social magnet. Least terns see other ‘birds’ settled in a safe area and are more likely to choose that spot for their own nests.”

Building a Safe Haven

Volunteers collaborated with SCCF’s shorebird and Coastal Watch teams to paint and position the decoys in ideal nesting locations. They then constructed enclosures around the decoys using stakes, string, and signs to minimize habitat disturbance.

Least Terns: Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

Nesting in colonies offers least terns several benefits. They can easily communicate with each other and watch out for predators like coyotes or crows. White humorously adds, “Be aware of incoming ‘airstrikes’ (dive-bombing with… uh… unpleasant follow-up) if you approach a fenced-in nesting area. Least terns take their colony defense seriously, and humans might be seen as a threat!”

While the decoys encourage nesting in safer areas, the final decision rests with the birds. Still, this innovative approach is a positive step towards protecting these fascinating beach nesters.

Click here for entire article

In its letter to South Seas homeowners, some of which was reprinted in the “Santiva Chronicle,” the new owners of South Seas distort the facts while criticizing community groups working to “Protect Captiva” from overdevelopment on South Seas. Captiva Community Panel takes this opportunity to correct the record.

• South Seas writes: Last December, South Seas unveiled a Redevelopment Plan that would maintain the historic character and coastal charm that defines Captiva while rebuilding to new federal standards.The facts are: Last December, South Seas unveiled a plan to replace its 247 hotel rooms and employee housing units with 707 condominiums and hotel units. The proposal would increase density on South Seas from 912 units to 1,347 units – a 48% increase. The increase in density is inconsistent with the historic character and coastal charm of South Seas, and has nothing to do with new federal standards.
• South Seas writes: Plans call for rebuilding structures up to 45 feet above the minimum permittable habitable floor which mirrors the existing outlying suburban height restriction, and include up to three stories over parking or commercial space.The facts are: South Seas proposes to increase the height of its own buildings to well over the height currently permitted on South Seas. And building structures on South Seas up to 45 feet above the minimum permittable habitable floor, and up to 65 feet in height, does not mirror Captiva’s existing rules and is not currently permitted anywhere else on Captiva.
• South Seas writes: If the past 19 months have taught us anything, it’s that our community thrives when we’re all on one team working toward a common goal.The facts are: Over the course of those 19 months, the developer and its agents met with Lee County without any community input to amend Captiva’s Land Development Code to exempt its own development from the height and hotel density rules that apply to all other property owners on Captiva. No teamwork was coming from South Seas.
• South Seas writes: Since the hurricane, we have strongly advised our neighbors and surrounding communities to [adhere to FEMA requirements]. However, rather than join us in advocating to ensure future structures are built above FEMA flood requirements, many community groups and various HOAs within South Seas have focused their efforts on challenging South Seas for following the rules.The facts are: At no time did community groups or HOAs within South Seas challenge South Seas for following the FEMA rules. Rather, the community challenged South Seas for increasing building heights and density that had nothing to do with FEMA flood requirements. Increasing the number of habitable floors above base flood elevation is only about increasing revenue at the expense of our fragile barrier island environment.
• South Seas writes: That it is why it’s especially upsetting to learn that Captiva is at risk of losing their FEMA insurance discounts. South Seas repeatedly raised this specific concern last year and was accused of “flying the false flag of resiliency” when, in fact, we had been raising the actual flag of resiliency.The facts are: FEMA and Lee County seem to be working out their differences so that the county (including Captiva) can retain its FEMA insurance discounts of 25 percent. However, it was Florida’s Department of Commerce that accused the county of “flying the false flag of resilience” when it amended Captiva’s regulations after the hurricane for the purpose of increasing hotel room density on South Seas. What was especially upsetting to the community were the efforts by South Seas to use the devastation of the hurricane to change the long-standing height and density rules on Captiva for its own benefit.
• South Seas writes: It is important to note that South Seas funded the Resiliency Plan for the entire island of Captiva, a plan that was completed just days before Hurricane Ian made landfall. We did this because we were surprised that community groups with a purported mission to “protect Captiva” had never pursued a resiliency plan to better understand what’s needed – and needs – to be done to fully protect the island.The facts are: South Seas owners were surprised because they had no idea what was taking place in the Captiva community since they made little effort to work with the community after they purchased the resort. The Captiva Community Panel had contracted with Integral Consulting to complete a vulnerability assessment on the bayside of the island that was most vulnerable to flooding. Presentations of the vulnerability assessment and resiliency options were presented to the community in a public meeting at the Captiva Civic Association. At the same time that South Seas was doing its own plan, the Captiva Erosion Prevention District, working in consultation with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation and the Captiva Community Panel, contracted with Aptim, the award-winning environmental solutions firm responsible for past beach renourishments on Captiva, to develop a coastal resiliency assessment for Captiva. The Aptim assessment has been the basis for new grants and further resiliency planning for our island.

• South Seas writes: While FEMA works through this challenge, we would encourage local community and conservation groups to leverage their donor funding and support of the community to fully adopt the plans outlined in the Resiliency Plan, which South Seas donated to them prior to Hurricane Ian.The facts are: Captiva’s community organizations and conservation groups will continue to develop their vulnerability assessments and resiliency plans for our island that were commenced before the new South Seas owners purchased the resort. At the same time, the “Protect Captiva” coalition will continue to do everything possible to prevent overdevelopment on South Seas and the rest of Captiva – overdevelopment that will make Captiva more vulnerable and less resilient in the future.

Calling all islanders! The Sanibel School Parent Teacher Association is hosting its annual Seahorse Festival this Saturday, April 13th from 11 am to 3 pm.

Free and Fun for the Whole Family

The festival is a fantastic opportunity to connect with your neighbors and show your school spirit! There will be something for everyone, including:

• Inflatables: Bounce houses, a rock wall, and a giant slide for all ages!
• Games with Prizes: Test your skills and win some awesome stuff, including a bicycle!
• Crafts: Get creative with hands-on activities led by the Children’s Education of the Islands.
• Shell Painting: Learn about our local marine life and decorate your own seashell with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation.
• Food Trucks: Grab a bite to eat from Kona Ice, Red Roc Cravings, and The Dawg Pound.
• And More! Face painting, a character artist, a photo booth, and a PTA table selling Sanibel School gear.

Spread the Word!

RSVPs are encouraged to help the PTA get a headcount for water bottles. You can RSVP at RSVP Here.

Event Details

• Date: Saturday, April 13th
• Time: 11 am to 3 pm
• Location: The Sanibel School pavilion, 3840 Sanibel-Captiva Road, Sanibel
• Cost: Free and open to the public

Click here for more info