Where on the islands

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Where on the islands ?

Sanibel & Captiva Island Home Types

Where you want to live on the island depends on what you want to spend your time doing.

The Beach If your dream is to bask on the beach, you’ll want to live as close to it as you can. Houses and condos right on the beach are premium property. Beachfront condos range from $600,000 to $3 million. Beachfront homes begin at $3 million.

There are less expensive properties just across the road from the beach. They range from $350,000 to $3 million.

The Boat If you're a sailor or a fisherman, a home or condo on the bay, on a canal or on a bayou can mean you can keep your boat in your own backyard. Sailors and those with large boats will want a home on a bayou or on a "direct access" canal with no bridges to go under. The bay offers expansive water views A bayou or canal can lead out on to the bay and more private beaches on nearby islands. Houses on the canal are generally priced above $800,00. Bayfront homes usually begin at $1.5 million and may be priced as high as $5 million.

Golf If you love to golf, the islands offer a variety of options. Some golf clubs such as The Sanctuary are restricted to members only so they can be sure of being able to play without having to book in advance. There is also The Dunes and Beachview Golf Clubs on Sanibel and South Seas Golf Club on Captiva . Homes on the golf course generally range in the $500,000 to $1.5 million range.

Golf vs. Gulf A common dilemma among couples is golf vs. gulf: There are a few places such as Lands End Village in South Seas Resort on Captiva or Beachview Golf Course on Sanibel which offer (almost) the best of both worlds.

Birds, Wildlife and other Animals The natural beauty of the islands of Southwest Florida is a major factor in many people's decision to move here. Conservation and preservation are important elements of island life. Sanibel is the "greenest" of the islands.

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

The average price of property sold on Sanibel between January 1^st and September 30^th 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.