The Schuldenfrei Report

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.

SMALL TOWN GOINGS ON
We’re about to have our annual transition from "season" to the quiet time. The islands take a deep breath and become enveloped in quiet living. But fear not. The islands are still an active and fun experience with all kinds of activities to help you enjoy yourselves. There are, of course, the usual things to do like beaching, golfing, fishing, boating and just relaxing. There are several live theatres for your entertainment, many restaurants, some of them new, shops that offer whatever you might want and the things you won’t find anywhere else like the refuge, Conservation Foundation, Shell Museum, our annual 4th of July parade with attendant picnics. There are riverboat cruises on the Caloosahatchee, kayaking in local waters with SCCF and bike tours, explorations and birding at the refuge. There is always some thing or event on the islands that will attract and please you – for that’s what we do. Help you have fun and pleasure. If you’d like a full menu of planned events and happenings go to the Chamber of Commerce web site at www.Sanibel-Captiva.org. Then click on calendar.

REC CENTER ON TRACK
There was a get together of dignitaries recently to celebrate the "topping off" for the new recreation complex which is scheduled to open in September. The new $14 million rec center was first talked about in 2003 and is now on budget and on schedule according to the mayor. The center will have 186,000 square feet which includes a 32,000 square foot air-conditioned gym, teen center, two pools, tennis courts and craft rooms. This is a major undertaking and one that all on the islands can take pride in and make use of. Not too many small towns have a complex such as this. It will be a major attraction to residents and visitors alike.

YOU CAN OPERATE THE DRAWBRIDGE
You are being offered the thrill of a lifetime – to raise the Sanibel Causeway drawbridge for the very last time. The offer is being made by the Sanibel Captiva Optimist Club. A ticket to the event is $50 and the winner will have a chance to operate the drawbridge for its final time, get a tour of the electrical and mechanical rooms, a plaque with their name on it and a lever from the operation booth. This is a distinct event. You can talk about this for years in the locker room or around the bar. More information at www.sancapoptimist@comcast.net.

SANIBEL FIRE & RESCUE
It’s hard to believe that this dedicated organization is 50 years old. It started back when Sanibel was a remote island that could be reached only by boat or plane. Author Betty Anholt has recorded their history in a book titled, "Sanibel Fire & Rescue, 50 Years of Progress," which describes and pictures island traumas and joys over the past years. It’s a good read.

HELP MAKE SANIBEL BEAUTIFUL
The Sanibel Beautification Group is looking for volunteers to help them out. They are working to make the entrance to the island a beauty to behold. If you can help call 239-470-2866. The work days are the second and fourth Saturdays of the month from 8 to 10AM. There is no experience needed and no commitment required. So get out there and do your bit – enjoy the fresh air, sunshine and exercise. It’s good for you and good for the island.

VISITOR UPDATE
If there’s anything that makes the islands smile it’s being loved by visitors. And Sanibel and Captiva are loved. And where do the visitors come from? All over the world. But between the world and us is the airport – and therein lies the good news. Southwest Florida International Airport has reported that January was the busiest month in the airports 23-year history. Traffic was up by 8% over last year. The airport served more than 7.6 million passengers in 2006 making it one of the top 50 airports in the country. That’s good news to us since a goodly portion of this traffic comes to this island paradise.

Noone can deliver more more than
David with his 31 years of Island exprience

GOOD PROGRAMS LEAD TO GOOD RESULTS
Here are three of the programs we have developed to make your real estate transaction as comfortable and fruitful as possible. It will be to your advantage to use them. Our 31 years of experience in helping people sell, buy or rent properties on Sanibel or Captiva islands has taught us what works and what doesn’t - what’s helpful and what isn’t. We would like to put this experience to work for you. Some of our programs are:

MLS NOTIFICATION - which lets you know whenever a property that meets your needs becomes available. We let you know the same day it comes on the market by email. Email address required.

PRICING SERVICE – If you want to know what price properties - similar to yours - have sold for recently we will prepare a written report for you. This free market analysis will help you with your pricing considerations, whether you’re buying or selling.

GOPHER ENTERPRISES – If you’re renting, we will help you find just the right condo or house. We search all rental inventories throughout the islands to find just the right place that meets your stated needs. We leave no stone unturned. www.GopherRental.com

If you would like to learn more about these services and how they can help you just go to my web site www.schuldenfrei.com. Click on the link to the service that most interests you.

The	Spring 2007
*Schuldenfrei*
Serving Sanibel & Captiva for over 31 years	REPORT
About real estate on Sanibel and Captiva • Going to 7,000 local property owners and 12,000 Northern visitors.