The arrival of the first named storm of the Atlantic hurricane season – Ana, which formed Saturday – is a reminder that the official start of the storm season is June 1.
If you missed the hurricane preparation discussion by Chief Jeff Pawul and Lt. Mike Sawicki at the last Community Panel meeting, Chief Pawul has put together a summary f what you’ll need to know in advance of any storm. Click here to download a copy.
Closed Sales
April posted 4,837 closed sales, over double that for April of last year when an abnormally low 2,234 sales were posted due to the initial impacts of the pandemic. Comparing April 2021 sales with the average for April 2017, 2018, and 2019, sales were up 74% from 2,774 to 4,837. On a 12-month rolling basis, sales through April 30 were up 40.8% from 27,658 to 38,942.
Listing Inventory / New Listings
As of April 30, 2021, there were 2,390 properties on the market, down 79.8% from the same date last year when 11,801 properties were available. Months of supply as of April 30 was under one month, at .74, down 85.6% from last year when 5.12 months was posted. New listings for April were up 95.4% from last year, mainly due to last April’s sharp but temporary drop in new listings due to uncertainty about the pandemic at that time. However, at 3,587, new listings for April 2021 were consistent with the 3,670 average for April 2017, 2018, and 2019. On a 12-month rolling basis, new listings were up 1.7% from 38,149 to 38,800.
Average Selling price
For the 12-month period through April 30, the average selling price was $557,227, up 23.15% from the preceding 12-month period when a $452,496 average was posted.
Summary
We’ve experienced a steady decline in standing inventory over the past year; however, the rate of that decline has started to decrease in recent weeks. This is due in part to a modest increase in new inventory entering the market over the past few weeks when compared to typical patterns for this time of year. With standing inventory still in short supply, it is this increase of new inventory that is helping satisfy continued strong buyer demand
Click here for detailed report
2021 Sea Turtle Season Officially started from April 15 to October 31, you can be a life saver.
Sea turtle hatchlings emerge after dark and use the light of the night sky to find the water. Hatchlings will crawl away from the water and toward light sources, so turn off all artificial lights visible from the beach and never use flashlights or cell phone lights on the beach during nesting season. If necessary, use only approved amber or red LED bulbs.
While sea turtle hatchlings are particularly vulnerable to disorientation due to artificial light sources, nesting female turtles may also be disturbed by bright lights, loud noises, and people approaching too close. These disturbances may cause a female turtle to become disoriented leading to a “false crawl,” where the female fails to lay her eggs and returns back to the Gulf.
You can help sea turtles that nest on Florida’s beaches, you just need to follow below rules
The recreational harvest of greater amberjack reopened in Gulf state and federal waters for May 1-31. After an annual season spawning closure in June and July, recreational harvest is scheduled to reopen again from Aug. 1 to Oct. 31
If you plan to fish for greater amberjack or certain other reef fish species in Gulf or Atlantic state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel (includes anglers over 65 years of age), you must sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler. If you are already a Gulf Reef Fish Angler, your Gulf designation meets the new statewide requirement until it expires. To learn more about the no-cost designation, visit MyFWC.com/SRFS. Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. Annual renewal is required.
The city is distributing educational Bike or Hike Sanibel brochures to educate cyclists, pedestrians and motorists of state and city laws when biking, hiking or driving on island. The development and printing of the map and brochure, which includes a map of Sanibel’s Shared Use Path System, are grant funded.
To bring awareness to the live cameras on-island and assist in navigating traffic this season, the city strongly encourages residents, business owners, workers and visitors to download the Sanibel Bound app. It allows users to view live street cameras located at key intersections. Download the app for free on Apple or Android devices. The live feeds are also online at www.mysanibel.com/Live-Street-Cams.
To receive a supply of the Bike or Hike Sanibel maps and brochures for a residence, business or accommodation, contact City Manager Judith Zimomra at [email protected]. To view Important Peak Season information, visit http://traffic.mysanibel.us/Flyer.pdf. To view the Sanibel Bicycle Club’s Bicycle Safety Video, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ClTdJ6m9yo.
