We are on an upward swing as far as the real estate market goes on Sanibel. As you may know Sanibel & Captiva Islands are the last to feel the effects of a downturn and the first to feel the upswing. 2011 was a very good year for sales on the Islands.

Here are the island stats for you to digest. These stats are for the entire-year from January through December and compared with the same time period for 2010.

Sanibel & Captiva Single Family Homes (Both Islands) - Sold in 2011:

2010: 134 homes with an average sold price of $886,435.

2011: 200 homes with an average sold price of $9226,413.

That's 66 more homes sold in 2011 than in 2010.

There are presently 9 homes pending.

Inventory is shrinking. We are down from about 430 homes at inventory's high point to just 295 homes presently listed.

Sanibel & Captiva Condos:

2010: 146 with an average sold price of: $622,290.

2011: 167 with an average sold price of: $610,560.

There are presently 8 condos under contract with 1 pending.

Condo inventory is also down from the 420 range to 323 listed presently.

Sanibel & Captiva Lots:

2010: 23 with an average sold price of $555,435.

2011: 20 with an average sold price of: $369,792.

One lot is currently under a contingent contract.

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I have a wonderful, new listing on a salt water canal that is literally 5 minutes to open water. It is listed at $260,000. It is a small 2 bedroom, 1.5 bath condo. If you're a boater you can dock your boat outside your front door for only $400 a year. Yes, I did say a year. Boats have to be 25 feet in length or less. Dockage is subject to availability. At the start of this season there were several slips available.

You can view all property listed in the MLS for Sanibel, Captiva, Fort Myers Beach and the mainland if you visit my web site: www.RonMSmiley.com

News from our rental department shows an 8% increase in January, a 14% increase in February and a whopping 34% increase in March rentals over those same months from last year.

Have a fantastic 2012 and come on back down. I already have several people from the Philadelphia area, New Jersey, Ohio and Georgia coming to look at condos and golf course homes this month. Let me know when you're coming back down.

Be well.

Warm regards,

Ron

Sanibel & Captiva Half-Year Stats

I hope everyone had a wonderful celebration of freedom on this past 4th of July. The Sanibel parade went off very well as usual. It was sunny and the kids pelted those in the parade with water from their water cannons. In my day we had little water pistols.

Here are the island stats for you to digest. These stats are for the half-year from January through June compared with the same time period for 2010.

Sanibel Single Family Homes - Sold Half Year:

2010: 81 homes with an average sold price of $787,317.

2011: 102 homes with an average sold price of $829,090.

That's a 21% increase in sold homes over last year at the halfway point.

Eighteen homes are presently under contract with 7 of those pending.

Sanibel Condos:

2010: 75 with an average sold price of: $566,352.

2011: 90 with an average sold price of: $649,990.

Twenty-five condos are presently under contract with 5 of those pending.

Sanibel Lots:

2010: 13 with an average sold price of $386,154.

2011: 11 with an average sold price of: $434,350.

Three lots are under contract with one pending.

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Captiva Single Family Homes:

2010: 6 with an average sold price of: $1,911,250.

2011: 14 with an average sold price of: $2,113,057.

Two homes are presently under a contingent contract.

Captiva Condos:

2010: 12 with an average sold price of: $579,533.

2011: 17 with an average sold price of: $738,109.

One condo is under a pending contract.

No lots have sold on Captiva so far this year and one lot is under a contingent contract.

Presently there are 307 single family homes for sale on both islands which is down from 350, 282 condos - down from 344 and 115 lots down from 123 lots.

Inventory is shrinking in all categories and prices have leveled out and the average sold prices have gone up.

I have sold all of my listings and also those of others. 2011 has been a very good year so far. If you're thinking of buying on the islands or the mainland I would suggest not waiting any longer, because as properties start selling at list price then sellers start to hold their prices. Sellers read the same information.

Visit my web page www.RonMSmiley.com to view all the properties for sale on the islands and the mainland.

Have a summer and call me if you want more information 239-800-553-7338 Ext. 334.

Regards,

Ron

It's Sea Turtle Time

It's that time of year again for the sea turtle to come ashore and lay their eggs. Please be respectful of the santuary Sanibel has created for all living things. Here are the rules issued by the city of Sanibel.

Sanibel Protects Sea Turtles: 2011 Nesting Season Guidelines Issued
Sea turtle nesting season has returned to Sanibel’s beaches and the City of Sanibel, in partnership with the Sanibel-Captiva Conservation Foundation (SCCF), continues its commitment to protect these threatened and endangered species. Nesting and hatchling emergence will occur between May 1st and October 31st and we ask all residents and visitors to follow the guidelines below to help us ensure a successful nesting season.

The nesting ritual of the loggerhead sea turtle is one of the most remarkable natural phenomena occurring on Sanibel’s Gulf beaches. This natural process has happened on Sanibel for centuries and our eleven miles of Gulf shoreline have more nesting activity than any other beach in Lee County. The rare opportunity to witness this ritual on a dark summer night is both an honor and a great responsibility. Sought by predators and susceptible to dehydration, sea turtle hatchlings have only a one in one thousand chance of survival. Human activities can further reduce that chance.

By following these simple guidelines, you can do your part to ensure the survival of these magnificent creatures:

Turn off or shield lights near the beaches. Artificial beach lighting can inhibit female sea turtles from nesting and disorient hatchlings. Most beachfront lighting issues can be addressed by turning off all unnecessary lights, repositioning or modifying light fixtures, or closing blinds and drapes.
Remove furniture and other items from the beach and dune area, when not in use, between the hours of 9:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M. Items left on the beach including beach furniture, toys and trash may provide barriers to nesting or result in entanglement and predation of hatchlings.
Level all sandcastles and fill any holes dug during play. These are fine during the day but may pose additional hazards at night. Please leave the beach as you found it, so that sea turtles and hatchlings are not hindered on their way to nest or to the water.
Pick up all trash. Sea turtles mistakenly eat debris, especially plastic, which results in death.
Honor the leash law. All dogs on the beach must be on a leash and not allowed to disturb nesting turtles or hatchlings.
Gulf-front property owners should make sure that their properties are in compliance with the City’s marine turtle protection ordinances and ensure that artificial lighting from the property is not illuminating the beach (Sanibel Code Section 74-181—74-183, Section 126-996—126-1002). An easy way to test if your property is in compliance is to stand on the beach on a moonless night and look seaward. If you can see your shadow cast towards the water, there is too much light behind you. This light could potentially deter female turtles from nesting or disorient hatchlings as they emerge from the nest.

We look forward to another successful sea turtle nesting season and hope to uphold Sanibel’s reputation as having one of the darkest and most “turtle friendly” beaches in the state. We ask for your continued compliance with City’s marine turtle protection ordinances and remind all residents and visitors that violations of these ordinances may be subject to City, State, and/or Federal fines and penalties. Violations should be reported immediately to the Sanibel Police Department at (239) 472-3111, Sanibel Code Enforcement (239) 472-4136 or Natural Resources at (239) 472-3700.

For more information regarding sea turtles on Sanibel, please visit the City’s website:

http://mysanibel.com/Departments/Natural-Resources/Protecting-Our-Beaches/Sea-Turtles

Easter week is almost upon us.

The Islands are a little quiet this week as spring break is long gone and Easter is on Sunday, April 24th this year. It's a whole month later than last year and many island homeowners have returned to their northern homes already.

Starting tomorrow (Saturday), we will see an large influx of people enjoying their Easter week break. We will also see a large number of people who want to look at property. I think Easter week is much larger here than Christmas week.

I'll be doing several open houses next week at Seawind condos. They're just across the street from the beach and they're on a salt water canal. Each unit has their own boat dock. If you want to look at property just give me a call or send me an e mail.

Enjoy the splendid weather we've been having since the middle of February. Don't be surprised if you see me on the beach asking if you'll invite people to my open houses.

Sanibel & Captiva 1st Quarter Stats 2011 with comparison to 1st quarter stats 2010

This should make for easier reading.

The first quarter has ended and with it came good news for Sanibel. Home and condo sales are way up compared to last year's first quarter.

Here are the stats comparing 2010 first qurter sold properties with 2011 figures. If you're sitting on the fence about buying then get off of it and buy now.

Sanibel Single Family Homes:

2010: 38 homes with an average sold price of $710,268.

2011: 49 homes with an average sold price of $688,729

Nineteen homes are presently under contract with 7 of those Pending.

Sanibel Condos:

2010: 28 with an average sold price of: $527,072.

2011: 36 with an average sold price of: $600,854.

Twenty-eight condos are presently under contract with 9 of those Pending.

Sanibel Lots:

2010: 4 with an average sold price of $244,750.

2011: 4 with an average sold price of: 299,375.

One lot is under a contingent contract.

Captiva Single Family Homes:

2010: 3 with an average sold price of: $1,712,500.

2011:1 for $1,400,000.

Six homes are presently under contract with 1 of those Pending.

Captiva Condos:

2010: 7 with an average sold price of: $485,986.

2011: 3 with an average sold price of: $862,500

Three condos are under contract with 1 Pending.

No lots have sold on Captiva so far this year and none are under contract.

Presently there are 350 sinngle family homes for sale on both islands, 340 condos and 123 lots.

If you'd like more information and statistics, please feel free to e mail me or call me. E mail: Ron @RonMSmiley.com or phone:239-565-1712. Come on down now or in May when the island is quieter and it's easier to get in to see homes and condos.

Sanibel & Captiva 1st Quarter Stats 2011

The first quarter has ended and with it came good news for Sanibel. Home and condo sales are way up compared to last year's first quarter. Here are the stats comparing 2010 first qurter sold properties with 2011 figures. If you're sitting on the fence about buying then get off of it and buy now. Sanibel Single Family Homes: 2010: 38 homes with an average sold price of $710,268. 2011: 49 homes with an average sold price of $688,729 Nineteen homes are presently under contract with 7 of those Pending. Sanibel Condos: 2010: 28 with an average sold price of: $527,072. 2011: 36 with an average sold price of: $600,854. Twenty-eight condos are presently under contract with 9 of those Pending. Sanibel Lots: 2010: 4 with an average sold price of $244,750. 2011: 4 with an average sold price of: 299,375. One lot is under a contingent contract. Captiva Single Family Homes: 2010: 3 with an average sold price of: $1,712,500. 2011:1 for $1,400,000. Six homes are presently under contract with 1 of those Pending. Captiva Condos: 2010: 7 with an average sold price of: $485,986. 2011: 3 with an average sold price of: $862,500 Three condos are under contract with 1 Pending. No lots have sold on Captiva so far this year and none are under contract. Presently there are 350 sinngle family homes for sale on both islands, 340 condos and 123 lots. If you'd like more information and statistics, please feel free to e mail me or call me. E mail: Ron @RonMSmiley.com or phone:239-565-1712. Come on down now or in May when the island is quieter and it's easier to get in to see homes and condos.

The weather

Our weather has been perfect lately. We've been in the 80s most of this past week.

The island is getting busier as many people are fleeing the frigid cold and past week's blizzard up north. This is going to be a busy season.

Come on down and thaw out your bones on our sunny beaches. Give me a call if you want to look at property. 239-565-1712.

Why you need an Accredited Buyer Representative in Florida

The Florida Legislature just overturned the windstorm disclosure law. This disclosure would have required sellers to have their homes - located in wind-borne areas of the state - primarily coastal areas, to have their properties inspected and rated for windstorm resistance and disclose the findings to the buyers.

The reason for this overturn is because there are no Florida statutes that require a home to be inspected for any reason and instead of having the State protect the buyer they decided to leave it up the person valuing the information.

So remember, when you're buying a property in Florida it is wise to seek an Accredited Buyer Representative (ABR) to make sure you have someone looking out for your best interest.

I hold the ABR designation from the National Association of Realtors, plus the AHWD, e Pro and GRI designations. I also hold the Sanibel & Captiva Specialist designation from the Sanibel & Captiva Board of Realtors, plus I am a 1031 Tax Exchange Specialist.

Be wise. Call me when you're looking for property. VIP Realty Group 800-553-7338 Ext. 334.