MARKET SCOOP

SALES ARE LOOKING UP
Unit sales of condos and building lots are moderately down for the first quarter of 2007 but the unit sales of single family homes are up – and most of the growth is coming from the high end of the market, homes fronting on the gulf or the bay. If it’s true that single family home sales are often leading indicators this bodes well for the market.

CONFIDENCE IS GOOD
There seems to be a growing confidence by property owners on the islands. It looks like the recent tendency to hold back listing a property is changing. The number of new listings is ahead of last year. And the number of properties being put back on the market is showing double digit growth. This is good news!

OUR PERFORMANCE IS GREAT 
COMPARED TO OUR NEIGHBORS
Our performance versus last year looks real good when compared to our immediate neighbors (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Naples, Marco, Punta Gorda). For the month of February (the latest month measured) the Sanibel-Captiva market did a whole lot better than they did in single family home and condominium sales. That is a testament to the value of owning property on the islands and shows a confidence in our island economy.

Where is the market going from here? Nobody can predict the future of a market. But we do know that markets are cyclical – sometimes up and sometimes down. We think that the "up" cycle has already begun for our island market. We think that because the underlying signs are positive. After all, why shouldn’t someone buy now? Inventory is better, mortgage rates are still incredibly low, buyers can see a wide range of properties, prices are attractive and the investment value of property is strongly supported by the growing number of visitors to the islands. But in addition to that, this is just a great place to live in or visit. We all know that, so why not step up and have a look at the wonderful properties here? You’ll be happy you did! And when you’re ready, call David!

THE NEW BRIDGES TO SANIBEL
It will be September before all the final touches are in place such as roadwork, drainage ponds, landscaping and seawalls. And September is when there will be a gala ceremony marking the final conclusion of an event that has been an emotional roller coaster. The ceremony will include a ribbon cutting, vehicle procession, regatta and a full menu of merry making.

SANIBEL SEA SCHOOL
The school is a little building close to the gulf. The students- age 6 to 13 – take a field trip to the beach or the refuge or the Conservation Foundation. After each field trip they go back to the school and create an art project based on their field trip experience. It’s a pretty neat and fun way to show the kids a bit about the world they live in. They can attend for any time from one to ten days then the curriculum starts over. It’s a nice way to involve the kids in environmental matters. The school is run by the founder – environmentalist Bruce Neill. It’s open to the kids of residents and visitors. If you’d like more information go to www.sanibelseaschool.org.

BOWMAN’S BEACH IS A PEACH
There has been a poll conducted by TripAdvisor to find the best family beaches in the country. And guess what? One of the top ten beaches was our own Bowman’s beach. It met all the criteria established for the survey – soft sand, calm and temperate water, activities that are fun for kids and offer conveniences for the parents – like bathrooms, picnic tables, etc. Since beaches are one of the top reasons for coming to Florida it’s nice to have our own Bowman’s Beach rated so highly. When you’re good, you’re good!

SOUTH SEAS IS REOPENING
May is the date that South Seas will host an open house to reveal all the new amenities and services that are being offered by the new South Seas Island Resort. More than two years after being forced to close its gates after Hurricane Charlie the resort is welcoming back guests and treating them to more luxurious accommodations and enhanced amenities – including such things as an expansive pool, world-class sailing, an award-winning golf course and a high profile chef. In addition the main pool will be three times its previous size, you can rent a cabana with your own private butler, you can even have a television and mini-fridge option with the cabana. You can have personal spa service and there is good eating available to you all day long. It’s like taking a cruise without ever leaving the shore.

PLEASE GIVE YOUR SUPPORT TO PURRE NOW
If you love Sanibel & Captiva Islands and want to help keep our environment and local waters clean for generations to come please go to www.PURRE.org and educate yourself as to what you can do to help. Join PURRE now and help support the on going efforts.

FUTURE NEWSLETTERS
Over the next few "Schuldenfrei Report" Newsletters we will be transitioning to an "On-Line" version. This allows us to provide you an expanded version with more detailed information and on-line links to related topics giving a more enjoyable reading experience. It also allows us to do our part towards producing a "Green Product" and helping the environment. In order to receive future "Schuldenfrei Reports" via email, please fill out and mail the enclosed response card. Please print your name and email address clearly. You can also just send me an email requesting to be put on the "Schuldenfrei Report" email list.

DAVID SCHULDENFREI WANTS
TO HELP YOU!
Call me when you need effective real estate experience. I am prepared to help you sell your property or buy a property or find a vacation rental. I’ve been helping clients and customers for over 31 years so I know this island very well. Nobody knows it better than I. Let me help you. Just call, write, fax or email me and I will serve you with confidentiality and knowledge - and more experience working on these islands than you can find anywhere else.

YOUR BEST INTEREST IS MY ONLY BUSINESS
List your property with me and 
let my pledge work for you!

OFFICE: 239 472 5187 x227 • 1 800 553 7338 x227
HOME: 239 466 0514
FAX: 239 437-7543
E-MAIL: DAVIDS@SCHULDENFREI.COM
WEBSITE: WWW.SCHULDENFREI.COM
ADDRESS:       VIP Realty Group, Inc. 
                           1560 Periwinkle Way
                            Sanibel, FL 33957

VIP Realty Group, Inc.