SanibelProperty.com

& CaptivaProperty.net

Sanibel Real Estate - Captiva Real Estate -  Island Real Estate - South West Florida Real Estate - International Investment

 Island Condos - International Property Specialists - Tropical Paradise

 

 

 

 

What to Pack?

Don't forget the sunscreen! The guidelines suggest a minimum of SPF 15, but it's best to err on the side of caution.

Island dress is casual, with just a few restaurants requiring more formal attire. (Formal here can mean a button shirt and shoes!) Resort wear is acceptable almost anywhere, as winter temperatures range from the 70's to 80's, with mostly dry sunny days. In the summer, temps range between the 80's and 90's, with more humidity and afternoon showers.

Other "must haves" include hats, sunglasses, shorts, T-shirts, swimsuits, casual shoes, beach cover-ups, camera and film. During the cooler winter months it is advisable to bring a light jacket and jeans or light pants. The air conditioned restaurants can feel cool to sun-warmed skin! For summer travel, add a light rain jacket or umbrella.

Average island prices drop but sales pick up pointing to good season

The average price of property sold on Sanibel between January 1st and September 30th has dropped 19% so far this year making a 25 percent decrease on average prices of sold property on Sanibel over two years.

The most expensive properties showed the biggest drop with a 27 percent drop in beachfront property prices and a 23 percent drop in bay front property. The only property type that gained was inland property which increased 13 percent in the first three quarters of this year.

Captiva fared no better with property prices overall dropping 30 percent over the year and 26 percent over two years. All categories dropped with near beach properties dropping as much as 55 percent.

Take a longer view and the picture is better. Captiva does better than Sanibel. Over five years, the average price of Captiva property has gained 57 percent. (But bear in mind that Captiva was still recovering from Hurricane Charlie five years ago and prices were depressed.) Average prices on Sanibel dropped just  9 percent over five years.

 

Take a still longer view and all categories fared, if not brilliantly, at least adequately.  Sanibel prices have increased 50 percent in the last ten years  and Captiva prices have gone up 42 percent with Captiva beachfront and Captiva near beach homes starring with 86 percent and 94 percent increases respectively. For a spreadsheet of island prices over ten years and more, e-mail Wendy at Wendy@SanibelProperty.com

And now for even better news……  Following a dismal start, a lackluster spring and a mediocre summer, sales have already started picking up for the fall with 17 homes and 14 condos either pending or contingent. This is highly unusual: October is generally our slowest month.