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